DEVOS IN ATTENDANCE

Rich DeVos made his first public appearance at an Orlando Magic game Saturday night since team officials told the NBA he wants to sell part of his interest in the franchise.

DeVos did not answer questions from a group of reporters as he and his entourage came out of the Magic locker room about 25 minutes before the start of the game against the New Jersey Nets. The only comment he made was that he would speak on the subject sometime Monday, presumably before the Magic face the Dallas Mavericks.

DeVos and Magic president Bob Vander Weide took their customary seats a few rows behind the team's bench without any fanfare.

Another person conspicuous by his attendance was Grant Hill, who had not seen the Magic in person since undergoing surgery Dec. 19 on his left ankle. Hill's latest injury setback comes during what should be a happy time for him; his wife is expecting the couple's first child any day.

"I'm sure it's hard for the team and fans," he said. "I still have faith I'll be able to nip this in the bud."

PRECIOUS KIDD

After winning only 26 games a year ago, the Nets made their first visit of the season to Orlando sporting the best record in the Eastern Conference at 23-11. The primary reason cited for the turnaround has been guard Jason Kidd, the four-time All-Star whom they acquired in July from Phoenix.

"He's probably one of the most competitive people I've ever played with," said Magic forward Pat Garrity, whose rookie season was spent as Kidd's teammate with the Suns. "And it was kind of a quiet intensity. He didn't have to say a whole lot."

"How he gets away with taking four or five shots a game is amazing," Magic coach Doc Rivers added.

Kidd, Kerry Kittles and Todd MacCulloch have started every game for the Nets this season, while reserves Lucious Harris and Aaron Williams have played in every game. By contrast, the only Magic player not to have missed at least one of their first 38 games is Darrell Armstrong.

HOT HORACE

Horace Grant went into the game having hit 24 of his 37 field-goal attempts over the Magic's past four contests. Grant is averaging more than 14 points and almost seven rebounds during that stretch, including three games that he started at center after Patrick Ewing came down with tendinitis in his right calf.