It's looking more and more like the up-and-coming Orlando Magic can be a player in what's shaping up as a wide-open Southeast Division race.
They'll get a good indicator of their progress when the defending division champion Atlanta Hawks visit Amway Center on Sunday night in the season series opener.
After three consecutive seasons of 25 victories or less, Orlando has re-emerged as a potential playoff contender under new coach Scott Skiles by winning nine of 12. The Magic, the Hawks, Miami and Charlotte are within a game of each other for the Southeast lead.