"The Orlando Magic would like to apologize to a portion of the league for waking a sleeping giant. Well, it's not as if the Miami Heat are really ever sleeping or even napping.

But ever since the Magic walloped them Feb. 8 in Orlando, the Heat haven't lost or even broken a sweat. They've mercilessly devoured five opponents, all of them on the road, looking as if they're running up the score.

The Heat (24-7) have long memories as well and eagerly await the Magic (20-11) in Miami today on ABC.

"We haven't forgotten," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, referring to the Magic's 102-89 win a dozen days ago.

During a five-game streak, Miami swept their lockout-induced three-consecutive-game set, winning by 17 points at Washington, 20 at Atlanta and 18 at Milwaukee. The Heat then thumped Indiana by 15 and Cleveland by 24 to finish the trip.

The Heat reached the NBA Finals last June in their first season after assembling the Big Three: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They lost their title shot to the Dallas Mavericks, but many feel they were just warming up.

"They're better," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who counted the ways."