NBA: Magic looking legit contenders

Magic 104-96 Raptors

From Air Canada Centre, Toronto

The more you see of the 2009 Orlando Magic, the likelier they seem to push the Cavs and Celtics close again for a spot in the NBA Finals. Dwight Howard and his team-mates are on a revenge mission after losing out to the Lakers last season and, judging by this latest victory, they are legit contenders.

The Magic's busy off-season is paying dividends. Free agent forward Hedo Turkuglu departed, joining the Raptors, before the important trade that sent Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie to the Nets for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Now, coach Stan Van Gundy is reaping the benefits.

Carter endured a hostile reception from the fans in Toronto, where he first made his name, and struggled with his shot in the first half but recovered to pull the Magic through with 24 points on 9 of 24 shooting.

The former Raptor is the big-scoring, clutch shooting guard that Orlando have been crying out for and this strong performance followed a 26-point night in Boston earlier in the week.

Things have been stacked against Orlando from the start this season. Rashard Lewis missed 10 games after failing a drugs test, Carter sat out with an ankle injury and now Jameer Nelson is undergoing knee surgery. But the Magic keep churning out the Ws, moving to 12-3 with their second win of the season in Toronto.

They have all the tools needed to be the last team standing. Howard is a beast inside, crashing the glass and protecting the hoop. Offensively, he attracts double teams, which plays to the strengths of Orlando's outside shooters. Carter, Lewis and Nelson are just three of the team's potent 3-point threats.

Van Gundy also has a deep bench at his disposal, helping the Magic sail on despite key players being absent. Few coaches can call upon reserves of the calibre of JJ Redick, who dropped 19 points on the Raptors, Anderson, Marcin Gortat, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams. And it was Redick and Williams who helped the Magic pull away on Sunday in the fourth quarter.

There are plenty of tests ahead in the race for top spot in the East but Orlando have the players to last the course and make a big splash again come playoff time. With Carter on board, the Magic might just go one better in June.