Grant Hill tried to downplay Monday's matchup against his former team, the Detroit Pistons

The Orlando Magic forward said that because Detroit has a new coach (Rick Carlisle) and several new players (only Jerry Stackhouse, Michael Curry and Mikki Moore remain), the game was much like any other.

Hill's matchup with Stackhouse also fizzled when the Pistons star guard missed his third consecutive game with a groin strain. Stackhouse, former head coach George Irvine and Pistons' president Tom Wilson were critical of Hill when he left for Orlando in August of 2000.

"A lot of those guys over there are new. There were some good times and bad times, but all in all it's in the past," Hill said. "It stung a little bit when it happened, but time heals all wounds. I'm OK with it because I've talked to the people who really matter about it. I talked to (Stackhouse) a lot at the all-star break and we realized it was something that was created out of nothing. I'm fine now and just happy I'm healthy again."

Hill missed 78 games last season -- including all four games against Detroit -- because of a fractured ankle that needed two surgeries to repair. He was back in the starting lineup Monday after missing Saturday's home loss with a mild sprained ankle.

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Orlando coach Doc Rivers once again altered his starting lineup Monday night, inserting Mike Miller in place of veteran point guard Darrell Armstrong. It snapped Armstrong's string of 175 consecutive starts, a streak that dates back to April 25, 1999. Armstrong scored 18 points that night and went on to win the NBA's Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards.