Heat coach Pat Riley called Orlando's performance the most impressive game against his team all season.

"They have a lot of pride," Heat center Brian Grant said of Orlando. "They executed their defensive scheme perfectly."

Before Sunday, it looked like the Magic was detonating down the stretch.

The team was fuming after a 101-78 loss at Cleveland.

"It's complete bull for us to play like that," forward Tracy McGrady said. "Why did we even get on the plane to come here if we were going to play like this? We clinch a playoff spot, so everything thinks the season's over."

Said coach Doc Rivers: "We didn't deserve to be in the building tonight. When you play like that, you deserve to get your butt kicked. The only thing we did well was down the stretch we tried to make a good prevention of the chalupa [given to fans for Cavs scoring 100 points]. Besides that, we didn't do crap. They were so open, they were doing a layup drill against us. Everyone has to take the blame -- the coaching staff included. It starts with McGrady, our best player, and filters down to everyone."

Said Dee Brown: "We're backing into the playoffs, and that's not a good sign."

"I think we have taken a step back defensively in the last couple of weeks, and it has cost us," Rivers said. "We will be ready when the playoffs start. It's going to start with better defense."

But Rivers said his team got its act together against Miami. Now, the goal is moving to the sixth spot (Charlotte would own the tiebreaker with Orlando) and getting back Darrell Armstrong, who's recovering from groin and abdomen injuries.

Personnel File

GOOD FOR SOMETHING: Troy Hudson, filling in for Armstrong, has shot just 30 percent this season, but the Magic hopes he can contribute the rest of the way.

Said Rivers: "He is still a great defensive point guard on the ball, and he could help us tremendously in the playoffs. But he just lost his confidence early and never seemed to get it back."

Said Hudson: "I think my shot is finally coming around. It's not too late."

Dee Brown, back from injury, has played well in reserve.

Rivers said Brown will be on the playoff roster. The other point guard position will be taken by Hudson or Corey Alexander.

Noteworthy

LOOKING AT FREE AGENTS: The Magic already has an eye on possible roster upgrades this summer.

"The map we laid out, the puzzle we started putting together two years ago has become much clearer now," general manager John Gabriel said. "There are only minimal pieces missing. You can see what pieces we need for the future. You can see where we're going, and that's very invigorating."

The Magic wants to add another power rotation player in the offseason as well as a young point guard. But Orlando will not have cap space, meaning it will have available only the $4.4 million mid-level exception, the veteran's million (topping out at $1 million) and two first-round draft picks (their own and New York's).

The best case scenario -- outside of a sign-and-trade for Sacramento's Chris Webber -- would be signing Toronto center Antonio Davis with the $4.4 million, if he's willing to take that little. Davis plans to live at least part-time in the Orlando area. The Lakers' Horace Grant would be another option.

"You don't have to have a great center to win a championship," Rivers said. "You have to have a dominating somebody -- shooting guard, small forward, power forward, preferably a couple of them. A center would make it easier because they do a lot of things, but there are other ways. I would like some consistency. We have a good nucleus. I don't want to open training camp again needing name tags."

PREMIUM ON SHOOTERS: Rivers, on the NBA rules changes for next season (including allowing of zone defenses): "If you're a team that can shoot - and we have shooters -- it has to be good. Obviously, shooting becomes more of a premium now."

QUOTEWORTHY: McGrady is a neighbor of Tiger Woods but said, "I really don't understand golf. It isn't my thing."