The Magic really don't expect to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they sound pretty sure about setting a franchise victory record just as the Cavs did.
The Magic (55-18) are locked in a tight battle with the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and the right to get home-court advantage in the second round. And that is more than enough incentive to keep them on pace to break the franchise record for most wins (60) in a season. They have nine games remaining, including six against teams with records worse than .500.
"We want to win the rest of our games going into the playoffs," center Dwight Howard said. "We want to grind them out and set the right tone for the playoffs."
The franchise record was set during the 1995-96 season when Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway led a squad that eventually lost to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference final. The Cavs (60-13) last week set their franchise record for most wins.
The Magic have picked the right time to soar, winning their last six games. They also have won nine of the last 10 and 13 of their last 15. They also have proven they can win when things aren't going well, which has been their trademark all season.
"The one thing you can say about this team is that it has resolve," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Sometimes I don't know how we do it."
MAGIC 101, HEAT 95: The Magic withstood another great performance by Dwyane Wade -- he had 42 points Monday -- to keep a stranglehold on the in-state rivalry. Wade was everywhere, but he couldn't compete against the balance of the Magic, who got 22 points from Dwight Howard, 21 from Rashard Lewis and 16 from Hedo Turkoglu. Howard also had 18 rebounds, providing the perfect balance to the outside shooting of Lewis and Turkoglu.
