It was exactly one year and one day ago that Magic Coach Doc Rivers used this Big Three starting lineup for the first time.

It's back -- and maybe for good.

The Magic used the Tracy McGrady/Grant Hill/Mike Miller lineup -- putting longtime starter Darrell Armstrong into a sixth-man role -- with some impressive results Wednesday night, leading to a 112-102 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

McGrady still dominated as usual with 38 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Miller had 22 points and seven rebounds.

Hill had nine points, but he also had a team-high 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. Armstrong, looking well-rested at the end, had 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Everyone sounded happy.

"I know I like it,'' said Armstrong, the 6-foot-1 point guard.

"I hope we stick with it. It really gives me a chance to do some different things, and it didn't take me long to adjust. I'm ready for this.''

It gave the Magic a starting lineup with everyone at least 6 feet 8, which caused serious matchup problems for the Lakers. It also should give fits to most every other team in the league.

"It [the lineup] has a long way to go, but I saw some great signs out there today. Some of the matchups we got were incredibly good,'' Rivers said. "Even though they haven't played together a lot, they did a really nice job of playing with and through each other. You'll see it again.??

Hill didn't play in the fourth quarter Wednesday when his ankle stiffened up again late in the third period. He missed the previous two games with tendinitis in that ankle.

"I thought he was favoring it,'' Rivers said. "He said he was fine. I just decided he wasn't going to play anymore.''

With Armstrong, though, Hill wasn't needed in the fourth.

Not only does the lineup give the Magic a size advantage around the perimeter, it also gives the Magic the luxury of having Armstrong back in a spark-plug role that he played so well earlier in his career.

At age 34, he has been wanting to limit his minutes. And this might be the best way.

Armstrong played 30 minutes, below his average the past few years, but he was brilliant in the fourth.

"This is perfect for Darrell,'' Rivers said. "And I think he'll agree he's more effective in this role.''