The Orlando Magic have closed the gap on their neighbors from South Beach and can pass them in the standings with a post-Christmas win.
Having finally climbed out of a long rebuild, the Magic can leapfrog their in-state rivals in the Southeast Division when the Miami Heat visit Saturday night.
Three straight miserable seasons for Orlando included losses in 11 of 12 meetings with the Heat, including an 0-6 mark at Amway Center.
The Magic, however, appear to be coming for Miami and its claim to supremacy in the Sunshine State. After combining for 68 wins over the last three seasons, Orlando is 17-12 under first-year coach Scott Skiles and sits a half-game back of the Heat (17-11), who ruled the Eastern Conference with LeBron James over the previous four seasons.