They return to play Friday night in Washington in a game that should be a breather. They already have beaten the Wizards three times this season, never allowing them to score more than 90 points in any one game.

They also have two more games against the Milwaukee Bucks and three against the New York Knicks, as well as one game each against Memphis and Charlotte.

The Magic won 60 games during the 1995-96 season when they lost to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference final. They won only 57 games when they reached the NBA Finals and lost to the Houston Rockets in 1995.

The Magic still have hopes of catching Boston and/or Cleveland and reach either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are hoping to avoid a first-round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons, who look to be headed for the No. 6 seed.

"Our defense was outstanding throughout the game," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said after Wednesday's 107-79 victory over the Bulls. "Everybody that played was outstanding. It was a very good win."

MAGIC 107, BULLS 79: Even with Dwight Howard in foul trouble and Hedo Turkoglu not playing, the Magic romped to an easy victory by leaning heavily on their role players and reserves. Veteran reserve Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds. Reserve Marcin Gortat had 13 points and a career high 15 rebounds. Dwight Howard found himself in foul trouble again, playing just 22 minutes. J.J. Redick had 13 points and hit four of his six shots.