Tracy McGrady climbed on Pat Garrity's back after a second-quarter timeout, hitching a ride from the middle of the floor to the Orlando Magic's bench. Playtime started early Friday night.

It was T-Mac who put the Magic on his back and carried them to a 129-94 victory against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Waterhouse Centre.

McGrady scored 28 of his 32 points in the first half, including nine in a row, as the Magic took the suspense out of the night and won their fourth consecutive game.

Orlando (11-9) turns around and faces the Hawks (6-14) again tonight in Atlanta. And it may be just as easy if the Hawks are without Shareef Abdur-Rahim, their leading scorer and rebounder.

Abdur-Rahim left with a bruised tailbone after being knocked to the floor in the first quarter. He returned briefly but did not play again.

The Magic again were missing their own star. Grant Hill, still bothered by his left ankle injury, was placed on the injured list before the game. He will miss the next five games as required by the NBA but may be out longer.

The Magic scored a season-high 70 points in the first half and led by 26, shooting 58.8 percent. The Magic's previous highest-scoring half this season was 67 points on Nov. 21 against Minnesota.