They also are scheduled for a Thanksgiving Day game, again on national television, at Washington.

The Magic were regulars on Christmas Day during the Shaquille O'Neal era, and they haven't played on Christmas Day since 2003, when Tracy McGrady was still attracting attention in Orlando.

The Magic (52-30) reached the second round of the playoffs and won 50 games for the first time in 12 years last season, which is a big reason they have grown into one of the league's marquee teams.

Another reason is Dwight Howard, who has become the league's best and most popular center. Howard is playing this summer with the USA Basketball team at the Olympic Games in China.

The Magic were eliminated by Detroit in the second round, but they still are a young, improving team, considered one of the Eastern Conference's contenders this season.

The presence of Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Howard give them a high-scoring trio that can match most any team in the league. Their biggest problem remains their lack of quality depth.

Howard quickly recovered from the stress fracture of the sternum he sustained in the Magic's loss against Detroit. He missed the Olympic team's first practice, but he has been fine during exhibitions leading to the start of the Olympic Games.