TONIGHT: Charlotte Hornets, 7:30 p.m.


WHERE: Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte.

RECORDS: Magic 6-6, Hornets 5-6.


BROADCAST: TV -- Sunshine Network. Radio -- 580 AM (WDBO) in Orlando, Spanish-language coverage on 1440 AM (WPRD).


PROBABLE STARTERS: Magic -- F Grant Hill (6-8), F Horace Grant (6-10), C Steven Hunter (7-0), G Tracy McGrady (6-8), G Darrell Armstrong (6-1). Hornets -- F P.J. Brown (6-11), F Lee Nailon (6-9), C Elden Campbell (7-0), G Stacey Augmon (6-8), G Baron Davis (6-3).


MAGIC UPDATE: The Magic got back to .500 with a victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night. It was a good day for Hunter, Armstrong and McGrady. The Magic think that victory could spark an early-season surge because of all the home games coming up. It also got Don Reid back into the mix, although that was because Grant missed the game with back spasms.


HORNETS UPDATE: The Hornets have struggled unexpectedly. Because they have been together for a couple years, the Hornets expected to be contenders this season. They also have problems with staying healthy. Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley, two starters, have been out with injuries, forcing them into some unfamiliar lineups. The Hornets also have struggled to attract fans. The Charlotte Coliseum was more than half empty for their loss Wednesday to Dallas.


WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Armstrong is always fired up to play near his hometown of Gastonia, N.C., which is just 30 minutes away. He always has a private cheering section there. The Magic may be catching the Hornets at the right time with all their problems, on and off the court. There is very little enthusiasm there, with the Hornets likely to be moving next season unless there is a sudden change in thinking over their arena plans.


ETC.: After Wednesday's victory, the Magic canceled Thursday`s practice. Many of the players and staff went to the Coalition for the Homeless to help serve a Thanksgiving breakfast. . . . Former Magic head coach Brian Hill is an assistant coach in Charlotte . . . Charlotte holds a 21-20 advantage in the all-time series. The Magic have won two of the past three games in Charlotte.