Although they remain a long shot to achieve their goal -- they fell short back in '96, as well -- they are on pace now to reach the lofty 60-win plateau and are battling for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, showing some promising signs.

They will get a good barometer tonight in Los Angeles when they play the Lakers, the best team in the tough Western Conference. They already beat the Lakers in Orlando last month.

At theof the season, we think we can be right at the top," said Dwight Howard, the center and centerpiece of the Magic franchise. "We've said all along, we can be as good as anyone out there."

The Magic are running away with the Southeast Division title, much like Boston is doing in the Atlantic and Cleveland in the Central, setting up a three-team race through the season's second half for the coveted No. 1 seed at playoff time.

The combination of Howard around the basket -- he is bidding to become just the fifth player in league history to lead the league in both rebounding and blocked shots -- and an array of sharp-shooting perimeter players has been tough to stop.

I hate to compare us to anyone else," point guard Jameer Nelson said. "But if we keep improving like we expect, there is no reason why we can't win a championship. That's our goal."

Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers

WHEN: Today, 10:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN, Sun Sports

LOS ANGELES Lakers (31-7)

Lead Pacific Division by 7 1/2 games

STRENGTHS

Reigning MVP Kobe Bryant still is the closest thing the NBA has to Michael Jordan. He is a nightmare for opponents at both ends. He also has a good co-star in Pau Gasol and an improved center in Andrew Bynam. They have good outside-inside balance.

WEAKNESSES

Point guard Derek Fisher, 34, is past his prime. And still too often, the rest of the team stands around watching/waiting for Bryant.

UNSUNG HERO

Lamar Odom has bounced around the league, but he still provides good balance and fills the holes in a reserve role.

LEGIT ENOUGH TO WIN THE TITLE?

Absolutely. After losing to Boston last season in the Finals, Bryant is determined to win his first championship without Shaquille O'Neal taking all the credit.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WITH THE Magic?

Bryant will burn anyone the Magic try to use against him. And Gasol is difficult for Rashard Lewis. Dwight Howard, conversely, made Bynum cry the last time they played.

CLEVELAND Cavaliers (30-7)

Lead Central Division by 8 games

STRENGTHS

LeGreat James should be next NBA MVP. He is one of the rare ones who makes his teammates better than they really are. He will try to refute the time-proven theory that you need at least two stars to win a title.

WEAKNESSES

They have no consistent front-court scoring threat. Ben Wallace doesn't have the same fire he did in Detroit. And their depth is nothing to get excited about.

UNSUNG HERO

Mo Williams has given the Cavs a backcourt partner James trusts and uses well. Getting Williams in a summer trade was key to their early surge.

LEGIT ENOUGH TO WIN THE TITLE?

They made the Finals two years ago with a team that wasn't this good. So, yes.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WITH THE Magic?

James will embarrass Hedo Turkoglu or anyone else who tries to guard him. The Cavs have no answer for the Magic forward who James doesn't guard. They will try and hack Howard with their depth.

BOSTON Celtics (32-9)

Lead Atlantic Division by 12 games

STRENGTHS

As the defending NBA champs, they have the much-needed experience to win another title. The Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already proved they can put egos aside for the good of a team.

WEAKNESSES

There should be serious questions about any team that uses Brian Scalabrine as its starting center. Injured Kendrick Perkins will be no big threat when he returns, either.

UNSUNG HERO

Point guard Rajon Rondo is better than most people believe. He also fits well with the Big Three.

LEGIT ENOUGH TO WIN THE TITLE?

Last year was no fluke, but repeating is tougher than winning it once.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WITH THE Magic?

Dwight Howard can destroy them around the basket. At the other end, the Magic can't stay with Paul Pierce.

SAN ANTONIO Spurs (25-12)

Lead Southwest Division by 1 game

STRENGTHS

Center Tim Duncan has won four NBA titles, including three with point guard Tony Parker and defensive stopper Bruce Bowen. Together and healthy this spring, they are good enough to win another one.

WEAKNESSES

They have won so much, the hunger may have faded, and the age definitely has crept in with Duncan and Bowen. They also don't have the depth they once had.

UNSUNG HERO

Kurt Thomas, even at age 36, still can provide some of the muscle and veteran leadership they need. He would love to get his first title.

LEGIT ENOUGH FOR TITLE?

If they follow history -- they won it in 2003, 2005 and 2007 -- this is their year again.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WITH THE Magic?

Duncan can no longer outplay Howard, but he still can outfox him. The Magic can't slow Tony Parker, which could cause real problems in a possible Finals matchup.

ORLANDO Magic (31-8)

Lead Southeast Division by 7 1/2 games

STRENGTHS

Dwight Howard has become the best center in Basketball, trying to become the first player in seven years to lead the NBA in both rebounding and blocked shots the same season. He makes all that 3- point shooting possible.

WEAKNESSES

They have been torched by high-scoring perimeter players all season. With Mickael Pietrus still on the sideline, they don't have a defensive stopper, which makes them vulnerable.

UNSUNG HERO

Point guard Jameer Nelson still has his detractors, but he has learned to balance his role of getting everyone else involved and still finding his own shots.

LEGIT ENOUGH FOR TITLE?

They might be a year or two away from the status of a serious contender. Getting past Detroit, Boston or Cleveland might be a problem at playoff time.

DENVER Nuggets (26-13)*

Lead Northwest Division by 2 1/2 games*

STRENGTHS

The early addition of Chauncey Billups gave them the stability they needed to become a contender. He gives them championship experience and he helps others get better, something Allen Iverson couldn't do.

WEAKNESSES

Players like J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin still have that streak of inconsistency. Carmelo Anthony, their best player, is out for another two weeks with a broken right hand. They may fade before he returns.

UNSUNG HERO

Nene has given them a stronger rebounder and defender around the basket, which helps Martin considerably.

LEGIT ENOUGH FOR TITLE?

Probably not. Outside of Billups, they don't have the playoff experience.

HOW THEY MATCH UP WITH THE Magic?

Nene and Martin could give Howard a nice battle in the front court, but Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu could kill them at the other end.* -- does not include Thursday's late game