"I always knew what my role was," Nelson said. "I've just been doing a better job of doing it. Throughout the course of the game you know what to do, having a feel for the game, knowing when to shoot, knowing when to pass and get guys in certain positions."

So far, so good.

The Magic can validate their status as legitimate contenders, not just in the Southeast Division, but in the league. Thursday's win over San Antonio comes at the front of a stretch that includes games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday and Southwest Division leader New Orleans at home on Christmas.

Orlando (20-6) has won seven of its last eight games and leads Atlanta by 4 1/2 games in the Southeast Division heading into the Hawks' Friday night game against Pacific conference cellar-dwellar Golden State.

"We are playing with confidence now but beating the best team in the West would definitely give us a lot more confidence," said Nelson, who scored 24 points against the Spurs. "I think that we've proven we can compete with anybody in the NBA and as long as we play our game, it is going to be tough for people to beat us."

Nelson, originally drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2004 before being traded to the Magic for a 2005 first-round pick, has more than a little to do with that. His ascension, though, wasn't so much part of achievement as that of salary cap concerns. The Magic let backups Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo leave in the offseason so they could land free agent shooting guard Michael Pietrus.

It's a gamble that's paid off.

"It comes down to money things. We certainly would have liked to have Keyon back, and Carlos too," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But you can't do everything."

Nelson, though, has lived up to expectations.

"It makes it easy when his confidence is high," Van Gundy said.

Confidence has been critical to Nelson's success.

"Sometimes you have to show guys confidence instead of continuing to reload behind them," general manager Otis Smith said. "We had to let him know he's the guy. When you have a little guy, they often get bumps and bruises and miss a few games, which he has. The upside is you can maximize the potential if it's done the right way."

Orlando's win over the Spurs comes with caveats. San Antonio was coming off a Wednesday loss at New Orleans, and with the oldest legs in the league - average 29 years - the Spurs were ripe for a fast break attack. That's exactly what the Magic did, outscoring the Spurs 18-2 in the first half on fast break points.

Saturday's game against the Lakers figures to give the Magic a different challenge. Orlando has routinely struggled against the Lakers, going 6-14 all-time at home against the Western Conference favorites.

Nelson's recent play could change that Saturday. He has averaged 22 points and six assists over his last five games.

All-star center Dwight Howard likes what Nelson, his best friend on the team, is doing.

"I'm going to use an adidas quote," he said. "Jameer's a creator. I'm a commander. He's a creator, creates shots for every one else and himself. I really like the way he's taken control of the team."

Van Gundy said the days of pure point guard are gone. Players like Jason Kidd and Chris Paul are a rarity. Most point guards are really combo guards, he said.

Nelson, he said, is the epitome of that.

"He gets us up the floor, gets us in our offense, organizes us," Van Gundy said. "I like the fact he's scoring. I think guys have to play to their strengths and that's his strength. He can score the ball."

Smith wants better on the other end of the floor.

"There are always things you want to see more of," he said. "Defensively he goes up and down. I think he's capable of being a very good defender, keeping people out of the paint. There are times - and that's with everybody, and I mean everybody - where he lapses and there are times he's not pushing the ball up the floor as hard as he should. But right now, with the way he's playing, that's kind of nitpicking."