Who: Orlando Magic (20-20) at Milwaukee Bucks (23-13).
When: 8:30 p.m. today.
Where: Milwaukee's Bradley Center.
TV, radio: UPN Channel65; WMEL-AM 920 and WDBO-AM 580.
Starters: Orlando -- Guards Darrell Armstrong, Tracy McGrady; forwards Mike Miller, Pat Garrity; center Horace Grant. Milwaukee -- guards Sam Cassell, Ray Allen; forwards Tim Thomas, Anthony Mason; center Joel Przybilla.
Magic notes: Orlando has been playing its best basketball of the season of late and need to play well to beat Milwaukee. The Bucks defeated the Magic four times during the regular season last year -- the second year in a row they had done that. And in the process of stringing together 11 consecutive wins against the Magic, Milwaukee knocked Orlando out of the first round of the playoffs. Orlando's 121-116 overtime win in Game 3 last year was its first defeat of Milwaukee since April 9, 1999. . . Orlando whipped Dallas 113-87 Monday night and has had three days to prepare for the Bucks. In the Monday game, the Magic shot 49 percent from the floor while holding the Mavericks to just 40 percent. . . Tracy McGrady averaged 28.3 points in three games against the Bucks last season. He scored 33.8 points per game during the playoffs and scored 42 in the Game 3 victory. He is sixth in the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 25.2 points a game. . . Mike Miller, the NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year, has been chosen to participate in the 3-point shootout on All-Star weekend. Miller's 78 3-pointers are the seventh most in the NBA. . . Veteran center Patrick Ewing is scheduled to test out his sore Achilles' tendon today and could be activated off the injured list for Saturday's game in Memphis.
Bucks notes: Milwaukee is playing particularly well again, having won its past five games. The Bucks beat the talented Indiana Pacers on consecutive nights to strengthen their lead in the Central Division to 2 1/2 games. . . In Wednesday's win, Ray Allen had 36 points and seven 3-pointers. A night earlier, Allen had 23 points and four 3-pointers. Allen has made at least one 3-pointer in 39 consecutive games. In his last four games, Allen has made an unthinkable 23 of 32 (71.8 percent) from 3-point range. . . Tim Thomas has filled in nicely for an injured Glenn Robinson (thigh bruise). He has scored in double digits in 23 of his last 27 games. He tied his season-high with 25 points Tuesday in Indiana. . . Robinson has missed the past nine games, but is expected to return this weekend. . . Free-agent signee Anthony Mason is the only Bucks player to start every game this season. He has struggled somewhat, having to play primarily without the ball in his hands. But he does lead the team in rebounding (8.2) and minutes played (37.8). . . Milwaukee is 12-2 at home this season. Orlando has not won in Milwaukee since April of 1997.
Next for the Magic: Saturday at Memphis Grizzlies, 9 p.m. (UPN-65).