The NBA isn't waiting for the Hornets to exit the playoffs before releasing a report by the relocation committee that will recommend approval of their move from Charlotte to New Orleans for next season.

The report could be released as early as Thursday, according to Russ Granik, the NBA deputy commissioner who was at Tuesday night's game.

"It's a little uncomfortable for us to be in this position, where we have to make the announcement with the playoffs going on, but we have to separate in our minds the relocation issue," Granik said.

Granik also reinforced remarks made by Commissioner David Stern that the league will take a serious look this summer at using instant replay.

Feeling good about 7

This first-round best-of-five series could be become a best-of-seven next season, according to Granik, if the players' union gives its approval.

The NBA, which starts a new television contract next season, is pushing for the change, which most coaches and team personnel favor.

"I'd love to have that," said Charlotte General Manager Bob Bass. "The way the games are spaced out now, it wouldn't take any more time to complete seven games with one day between each game."

Magic Coach Doc Rivers also is in favor of change.

"You can't hide in a seven-game series," said Rivers. "The best team wins, and that's the way it's supposed to be."

Sticking to it

Even through the intensity of the playoffs, Magic point guard Darrell Armstrong said he doesn't deviate from the same game-day routine he has during the regular season.

"I'm more focused, thinking about the games day and night, but I don't like to change things," Armstrong said. "I'm still taking my daughter to school, dropping her off, then going to Johnson's Diner for breakfast. And after our [morning] shootaround, I still go get my haircut and go home and take a nap."

Huge impact

Hornets Coach Paul Silas has tracked the ascension of power forward P.J. Brown since Brown joined the league in 1993. Silas was an assistant with the New Jersey Nets when Brown was young and struggling with his confidence.

The turnaround, Silas said, has been remarkable. Brown has gone from a player trying to find a place to a leader and provider of toughness for the Hornets.

"I have seen him mature as a player so much," said Silas. He's so confident now offensively. Defensively, you always knew what he was about. But he used to get the ball wide open and look to pass."

On an island

For this series, the Charlotte Hornets implemented the strategy of letting Magic star Tracy McGrady score his points, opting to take away most of his ability to create for the rest of the team. It's a strategy that has been used on so many young stars in the playoffs, from Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal.

How McGrady chooses to beat this tactic, Silas said, will ultimately decide his greatness.

"That's up for him to decide," Silas said. "He'll figure it out. Mike [Jordan] used to get his teammates [going] early and then take over when needed down the stretch of games. Tracy is going to mature. He's going to figure it out."