(My Sportsbook) - Grant Hill's ankle is holding up well enough for him to play. Tracy McGrady is a 40-point game waiting to happen. Tuesday night's opponent, the Sacramento Kings, came to Central Florida in the midst of a grueling road trip.

With all of these positive developments, the Magic still had to hold on for dear life to beat the Kings 125-121 at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Orlando now has a 4-1 record on the young season. Certainly, Hill's ankle has received more ink than any body part this side of Pamela Anderson's implants. This extensive coverage is warranted: an injury or lack thereof goes a long way in determining the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Hill admitted to a little soreness after the Kings' game, but was quick to point out this is to be expected.

"We're all foolish to think that we're going to go through a whole season -- with three surgeries in the past two years -- where you're not going to have some soreness," Hill said.

Due to the deliberate nature of the NBA season, it's hard to get too excited after five games. McGrady, who had 41 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against the Kings, is already dreaming of postseason glory.

"I see something good with this team in the playoffs," McGrady said. "I really think this is the team of the East. Last year, I was hoping that we were going to be a good team. This year, I truly believe we're a good team. Having Grant back is really helping our confidence even more."

How long the Magic will have Hill is the question. Should Doc Rivers play him sparingly -- maybe every other night -- until later in the season? It's hard to say. Hill did register three dunks on his way to 21 points in the win over Sacramento, which surprised many.

"He surprised me, man," said McGrady. "I didn't think he had that in him. He showed that he can still get up."

Hill's sky-walking exploits were by design.

"I said to somebody I was going to get a dunk," Hill said. "I had three. So I was happy with that.

"Each week I'm doing something new, and that's good. The main thing is that we won. We're 4-1. It doesn't matter if we won by 20 or by four, we still got the win."

The Magic nearly blew a huge lead in the win over the Kings, and they needed every ounce of effort from their entire rotation to make it happen.

"It wasn't the prettiest win we've had, but I'll take the win nonetheless," Rivers admitted. "You know teams are going to make comebacks, especially teams like that. I was more upset that we didn't act like we were supposed to win the game. I thought we looked up and said, 'Oh my Lord, we're beating the Sacramento Kings.' "

Orlando will beat many quality opponents if Hill's ankle remains sound. Sometimes, "if" is a huge word for two letters.