Next Two Games

Tonights' game against the Heat will have the star power but tomorrow nights game against Maccabi Tel Aviv is more significant. Both the Magic and the Heat are using the pre-season games the right way by getting their players in game shape, working on execution, and evaluating the players. Wins and losses in pre-season don't mean squat. The Israeli team is a horse of another color and may provide the Magic with the best overall test. International teams play a different style of basketball, concentrating more on defense and basic fundamentals than most N.B.A. teams do. This test should be important because for the Magic to have success this year they will need to play better defense and be more fundamentally sound. Winning the game means a whole lot to the Israeli team, and will give the fans a good indicator on where we stand.