Payback time

Tonight's game against the New Jersey Nets is taking on more than the normal interest for two Atlantic Division teams. The reason is last week's scuffle in New Jersey, when Kenyon Martin clubbed Tracy McGrady from behind, then threw a punch when McGrady charged toward him.

Both players were ejected during the Magic's victory, but Martin was the one who had to serve a two-game suspension. Although McGrady was upset when it happened, he was even more upset after watching the replay.

"I was uncalled for. It was childish on his part. He tried to kill me," McGrady said. "But we get him in our place now."

Martin, though, was offering no apologies Friday after the Nets practiced in New Jersey. He was asked whether he would be shaking hands with McGrady before the game as a way to end the disagreement.

"I don't know. Normally, I shake hands with everybody. If it happens, it happens," he said. "But I'm not going out of my way to kiss [up to anybody]."

Better late than never

The Magic caught a break when the Trail Blazers arrived in Orlando without starting center Dale Davis, who left the team during this road trip because of family problems, and were forced to start Chris Dudley. Davis left the team before it defeated Miami on Thursday night but joined the Blazers during Friday's game, entering in the third quarter.

Bloated Blazers

The Blazers are the NBA's classic example of a team with overpriced talent. Their payroll is $84 million, second only to the New York Knicks, yet they are 17-19 and sixth in the Pacific Division. The best example is backup center Shawn Kemp, who is being paid $12.5 million this season. He will make $21 million next season and $25 million in the last year of his contract. He averages 12.2 minutes and 5.2 points.

Bench mark

The Magic's non-starters are averaging an NBA best 35.03 points per game.