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Since when does Bob Hill coach the Magic?
Spurs notebook: Vaughn gets jump on Turkoglu
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.3cd5348.html
Web Posted: 03/03/2007 12:36 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News
Spurs forward Tim Duncan professes he never wants to see a replay of Dwight Howard's dunk over him, which gave the Magic a 106-104 victory in Orlando on Feb. 9.
Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu might likewise want to avoid viewing his jump ball against the Spurs' Jacque Vaughn in the third quarter Friday at the AT&T Center.
The 6-foot-10 Turkoglu was outjumped by the 6-1, 32-year-old guard.
"I didn't take for granted the fact that Turkoglu was quite a few inches taller than I am," Vaughn said. "Coach always talks about staying in the play. I think you stay in the moment, stay in the play and see what happens."
When the ball was tossed, Vaughn caught Turkoglu by surprise. He tapped it hard in the direction of teammate Michael Finley. The ball sailed past Finley, who saved it — only to have Turkoglu grab it. Vaughn then snatched it away from the Magic forward and headed upcourt.
"Yes, that was my hand on the ball on that tap," Vaughn said. "I don't like to bring out the hops too often, but I've still got a little something left in me. Again, it's staying in the play and not giving up. The fact he's taller than me doesn't mean anything. I can still give effort on the play. That's what has kept me in the league for 10 years."
That type of play prompted coach Gregg Popovich to give Vaughn, rather than Beno Udrih, nearly all the backup minutes at point guard behind Tony Parker. The Spurs coach also values Vaughn's defense. Popovich called on him to slow Orlando's Jameer Nelson after the Magic point guard had burned Parker for 10 points in 21/2 minutes. Nelson scored only four points thereafter.
Hill's foot, ankle tested: Magic forward Grant Hill, his team's No. 2 scorer, missed Friday's game to get tests on his left ankle and foot, injured in Wednesday's game in Denver. Orlando coach Bob Hill called it precautionary and said it was possible Hill would re-join the Magic for tonight's game in Dallas.
Spurs meet Rockets: The Spurs hope to end a two-game losing streak against Houston tonight at the Toyota Center in their final regular-season meeting.
After rallying from a 19-point first-half deficit to beat the Rockets Nov. 14, the Spurs lost the next two games at the AT&T Center. Houston guard Tracy McGrady sat out the first; center Yao Ming missed the second.
Yao participated in his first full-contact practice Thursday since fracturing his right leg on Dec. 23, but didn't play Friday in Denver. Entering Friday, the Rockets were 19-11 without Yao.
Popovich isn't surprised Jeff Van Gundy has been able to keep the Rockets in the hunt for one of the Western Conference's top four playoff seeds.
"Jeff's a fine coach," Popovich said. "He knows how to keep things together and he's established a defensive system that will sustain a lot of games if all their talent isn't there of if they're having a bad night offensively.
"They've done a good job of managing a tough cir stance."
Rest for Horry: With Friday's game the first of five the Spurs will play in seven days, Popovich said he doesn't want to overwork Robert Horry.
Popovich has tried to give Horry the second night off in back-to-backs when Matt Bonner has been available to play. He said he probably will continue to do the same over the next week, or at least cut back Horry's minutes in some form.
Horry played only 13 minutes Friday, nine of which came in the first half.
"It doesn't really matter whether we're winning or losing or anything like that," Popovich said, "it's about making sure he's stays healthy and ready to go."
Since when does Bob Hill coach the Magic?
Typo by Monroe. Hopefully they catch it before they print it.
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