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Dwight Howard Earned NBA Monthly Honors
Magic Coach Brian Hill was honored by the league as the Eastern Conference's coach of the month and C Dwight Howard as the East's player of the month, the NBA announced Friday. Hill, in his second stint as head coach of the Magic, led the team to a 12-4 record in November.
It was the first time Hill has been recognized as coach of the month. The club thought he was a shoo-in in 1994, when he led the Magic to a 10-2 record in November.
Dallas Mavericks Coach Dick Motta won the award that month with a 7-4 record. The Mavs were the league's worst team the previous season, winning 13 games. |
"It's the first time," Hill said, laughing. "It's a reflection of our coaching staff and our players. Our road record [5-3 heading into Friday night's game at Portland] is what I'm most impressed with. And I'm really happy for Dwight."
Howard, named player of the week last week, averaged 17.1 points and a league-leading 13.6 rebounds in November. He also had seven consecutive double-doubles and a 24-point, 23-rebound game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Grant Hill may play back-to-backs
Brian Hill says F Grant Hill might play back-to-back games that start this weekend in California.
The Magic face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night and then play the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.
With Grant Hill's extensive injury history, the Magic had planned to hold him out for the second game of the back-to-backs early in the season.
Hill has played in one of the club's three back- to-backs -- the first one Nov. 5-6 against the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards. He sat out the second game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 11 after playing the night before in Indiana against the Pacers. Hill missed the second game of a Nov. 24-25 back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks last week to attend a funeral service for his grandmother in New Orleans.
The Magic might not practice today in Los Angeles, giving Hill a day off. If that's the case, "Grant has a chance to play in both [against the Clippers and the Kings]," Brian Hill said.
Etc.
Magic F Pat Garrity was activated for Friday night's game in Portland after missing the past six with a strained right knee. He could have played Wednesday in Seattle against the SuperSonics but was held out as a precaution. Now he has to carve out playing time for a team that is red-hot. Heading into the Portland game, Garrity had played 59 minutes in five games, averaging 4.0 points. "You want to be a part of it, obviously," Garrity said. "I just hope to get a chance, but I'll take 12-4." . . .
The Magic's next trip to the West Coast isn't until January. It might not be as long, but it looms tougher. Their four-game set features games against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
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