The Orlando Magic head into tonight's nationally televised showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers having won three games in a row and four of their last five.

In a matter of four days, Orlando defeated the two teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference (New Jersey and Boston). And in beating the Celtics soundly Monday night, the Magic got some revenge against a team that had routed them by a combined 26 points in the previous two meetings.

Could it be that the Magic are finally putting together the kind of run expected before Grant Hill's nagging left ankle was forced under the knife yet again? Maybe. Tracy McGrady is getting some help from Mike Miller, Troy Hudson is spelling a beat-up Darrell Armstrong and the worst of the Magic's schedule is already out of the way.

But more than likely, this sudden surge says more about an Eastern Conference that's as weak as water than it does about the Magic's current red-hot temperature.

Orlando, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Toronto were expected to be the favorites to win the conference, but have all suffered through sour starts. The Magic are again without Hill, while the Sixers have been battered physically and exhausted mentally by Larry Brown's repeated threats to quit. George Karl's love-hate relationship with his three stars seems to have taken its toll on the Bucks. And an undisciplined Raptors team continues to underachieve under mild-mannered coach Lenny Wilkens.

For now, it's as if the standings have seemingly been flipped upside down. Last season, New Jersey won just 26 times, but already has 21 victories. And the Celtics, a dismal 36-46 record last season, have finally added some defense to Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker's offense and have 20 wins.

How topsy-turvy are things in the East? The class of the conference just might be Washington, a laughable notion just a month ago. At the start of this season, Michael Jordan not only looked old and downright human. Playing alongside this team of Wiz-kids, he also looked alone -- very much alone.

But remarkably, the Wizards have rallied from a 5-12 start to win 12 of their past 14 games. Doug Collins is the NBA's reigning Coach of the Month, while center Brendan Haywood was the league's top rookie last month. And, in case you haven't heard, that Jordan guy can still play a little. But expect the Wizards, who still have two long West Coast trips remaining, to come crashing back to reality soon. Their next four games are in Milwaukee and New Jersey and at home against Minnesota and San Antonio.

As for the Magic, if the season ended today they would have the seventh playoff seed. That's where they ended last season, getting beaten in the playoffs by the Bucks. But the Magic are hardly content with their current positioning and believe they can still make a drastic move upward in the East.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before Steve Spurrier cast aside his title as Gator God last week and announced he was ready to give the pros a shot, someone should have given him this two-word warning: Rick Pitino!

Yes, it's a different sport, but the comparisons make so much sense now. Both were considered innovative coaches ahead of their time on the college level. Both brought that fiery, in-your-face type of leadership that made college kids want to run through a wall for them. And both reveled in being the focus of the spotlight, be it controversial or congratulatory.

Five years ago, Pitino left Kentucky for the challenge of the NBA. A year ago this week, Pitino quit the Boston Celtics, admitting his leap to the pros was a monumental mistake.

Spurrier also spoke of needing this challenge. Now you have to wonder if this seemingly impulsive decision will be everything he hopes. Or will he, like Pitino, regret leaving one of the best jobs in college sports?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You didn't actually think the Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban was going to keep quiet all season, did you? Cuban's latest rant over the officiating -- "(NBA Director of Officials) Ed Rush might have been a great official, but I wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen" -- cost him an NBA-record $500,000 in a fine handed down Wednesday by the NBA.

Cuban's passion for basketball is unquestioned, but the Mavs are just a toy for the billionaire. And don't expect this fine to shut him up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Denton's top 10 (previous week): 1. Lakers (1), 2. Spurs (2), 3. Kings (4), 4. Mavericks (3), 5. Timberwolves (5), 6. Bucks (7), 7. Pacers (10), 8. Celtics (NR), 9. Raptors (NR), 10. Wizards (NR).

John Denton writes for Florida Today. To ask John a question about the Magic or the NBA, you can e-mail him at [email protected]. Some of the questions and answers will be published in this weekly NBA notes column.