Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers is optimistic that Grant Hill will have recovered from his sore left foot by this weekend's back-to-back games against the Atlanta Hawks. Hill did not play for the fourth time in the last five games Monday night when the Memphis Grizzlies made their only visit of the season to the TD Waterhouse Centre.

"He could play Wednesday" against the Chicago Bulls, Rivers said. "He honestly could. I don't think so, but he could."

If Hill is able to practice for the first time either today or Thursday, he will likely play a couple of one-on-one games instead of a full-scale, full-court scrimmage. Unlike a year ago, Rivers is convinced his outlook regarding Hill is based on more than wishful thinking.

"I do think he's going to be fine," he said. "I do think he's going to be healthy."

The Magic begin a six-game road trip Saturday night at Atlanta.

ANDERSON OUT

Nick Anderson, the first player ever drafted by the Magic, missed his second game in a row for the Grizzlies because of a sprained left ankle.

Anderson came over to the Grizzlies last summer with Jason Williams from the Sacramento Kings. But he continues to make his off-season home in Orlando and has no intentions of living elsewhere when his playing days are over.

"This is just like Arlington Cemetery. Just bury me here," he said.

Anderson, who turns 34 in January, was averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in the 12 games he has played with the Grizzlies. He needs to play in only two more games to reach 800 for his career.

Isaac Austin, a major disappointment during his one season with the Magic, entered the game for the Grizzlies with 2:36 to go in the first quarter.

ASSUME NOTHING

The cumulative records of the Grizzlies, the Bulls and the Hawks going into Monday night was 12-37. But Rivers wasn't about to assume the Magic could put together a winning streak simply by just showing up.

"Hey, we're under .500 too," he said. "So what makes us so much better than everybody else?"

The Magic have been above .500 just once since the first week of the season. Their record stood at 7-6 after a 109-99 win Nov. 23 at Charlotte.