The Orlando Magic may not necessarily be able to prove it, but they would like to believe good news travels every bit as fast as bad news.

The Magic were in Indiana when they learned Tuesday that Rich DeVos had changed his mind and was no longer selling the franchise. Although the announcement couldn't prevent losses that night to the Pacers and Wednesday night to the Boston Celtics, DeVos' decision the day after his 76th birthday was a huge bright spot in an otherwise dismal week.

"We kind of forgot about the selling of the team," said Tracy McGrady, who came to the Magic in the summer of 2000 after he and Grant Hill received seven-year contracts worth almost $93 million apiece. "We really didn't worry about that because we've got to go out and compete. But that was just great news."

"We all like Mr. DeVos, and we like the whole family-type atmosphere that he brings to it," forward Pat Garrity added. "So if you have a situation where everyone likes each other and gets along, it's a great thing when it doesn't have to change."

Coach Doc Rivers said DeVos sent "a great message" by claiming the enjoyment he has gotten out of owning the Magic is still there.

"That makes you feel good as a coach," Rivers said. "And I'm hoping it makes all the players feel good about it also."

But if the Magic are to come close to turning a profit or losing less money than the $10 million they've averaged the past four years, budget cuts are likely. That could include layoffs in other departments or possibly forcing the team to stay somewhere on the road other than in luxury hotels.

NON-TENACIOUS D

You had to go back more than 10 years -- to Feb. 22, 1992, to be exact -- to find the last time the Magic allowed as many points as they did in their 130-110 loss to the Celtics.

Shaquille O'Neal was still a junior at LSU when the Magic were beaten by that same score at Charlotte. While the Magic were facing the Celtics at the end of a seven-game, 11-day road trip and did not have Horace Grant available because of back spasms, that didn't totally excuse them for letting an opponent shoot 50 percent or better for the fourth game in a row.

"We've been up and down all year defensively," Rivers said. "We've had some great defensive stretches during this season, and we've had some miserable ones."

The Celtics had 64 points by halftime and added 40 more in the third quarter. In the Magic's last visit to Boston on Jan. 2, the Celtics put up 66 points in the first two quarters before easing up somewhat.

"They knew it was a long road trip for us," Grant said. "And they just pounded the ball down our throats."

The Magic entered Friday night ranked last in defense in the Eastern Conference and 27th overall. Only Dallas and Golden State had averages worse than the Magic's 99.1-point figure.

GOING NOWHERE

When the New York Knicks chose to extend the contract of Don Chaney for another year Tuesday, it may have finally put an end to the speculation that they would open their checkbooks for Rivers.

"I've never had any thoughts of going to New York," Rivers said. "And I've said that every single day. Unfortunately, I guess when you're from New York, they don't believe in no.' They believe you'll always say yeah' to them."

The Knicks, who have two games remaining against the Magic, are in last place in the Atlantic Division. They have not missed the playoffs or brought up the rear of their division since 1987, when Patrick Ewing was in his second season and had to miss their final 17 games because of a sprained left knee.

ALMOST AUTOMATIC

Troy Hudson began the weekend tied for second in the NBA in free-throw percentage. The Magic's backup point guard had hit 90.4 percent of his attempts, tying him with Washington's Chris Whitney and putting him a shade behind Indiana's Reggie Miller (90.8 percent).

Hudson had a streak of 18 consecutive free throws end when he went 1-for-2 against the Wizards. Darrell Armstrong holds the single-season franchise record, having shot 91.1 percent in 1999-2000.