NBA notebook: Hill requires hernia surgery, out 3-6 weeks

ORLANDO, Fla. — All-Star forward Grant Hill is expected to miss three to six weeks after he has surgery for a torn muscle in his lower abdomen, diagnosed as a sports hernia.

Hill, the Orlando Magic's second-leading scorer last season, saw several specialists after he was pulled from the lineup Oct. 19. The club said Thursday that Dr. William Myers would operate next week in Philadelphia.

"It's better than three to six months or three to six years," Hill said.

He told reporters earlier this week that he sustained the lower abdominal injury a few weeks before training camp began Oct. 4. A sports hernia is different from a true hernia. A sports hernia is a pulled groin muscle that worsens over time and affects the abdominal wall.

"I've often sort of joked with you all that when I sneeze it's big news," he said. "I'm not equating this with a sneeze — but it's something that, for a short period of time, it bothered me."

Last season was Grant Hill's best for the Magic. Finally healed from an ankle injury that kept him off the court most of the previous four seasons, he hit a career-best 50 percent and averaged 19.7 points — good enough for his sixth All-Star Game appearance.

He averaged 11.5 points and three assists in the four exhibition games he was able to play this year. Hill could be out until the middle of December.

Angry Mason calls Bucks GM "a snake"

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. — Desmond Mason was angry.

After learning that he had been traded to the New Orleans Hornets, a trade that brought 6-foot-11 center Jamaal Magloire to the Milwaukee Bucks, the former Sonic, 28, was not at a loss for words.

Mason called Harris "a snake in the grass" and said he "flat-out lied to my face" about the chances of being traded, even after the Bucks signed free-agent forward Bobby Simmons during the summer.

In an interview with radio host Steve Haywood, Mason said: "It's hard for me to say this about somebody, but Larry's a snake. He's a snake in the grass. I thought my situation with Seattle (being traded to the Bucks in 2003) was tough."

Exhibition games

Heat 104, at Magic 90

Dwyane Wade scored 25 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 19 points in 21 minutes as Miami concluded its exhibition schedule with a win over Orlando. Steve Francis had 22 points and eight assists for Orlando.

At Grizzlies 99, Hawks 84

Pau Gasol scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Memphis past Atlanta in Chattanooga, Tenn.'s McKenzie Arena. Rookie Salim Stoudamire led the Hawks with 13 points.

At Hornets 89, Rockets 88

P.J. Brown put back Speedy Claxton's missed layup with 0.4 seconds left as New Orleans beat Houston for its first win in Oklahoma City.

Derek Anderson scored 18 points to lead Houston, which was without Tracy McGrady for the second straight game because of tendinitis in both of his knees.

At Mavericks 103, Pistons 97

Keith Van Horn scored 22 points to help Dallas beat Detroit. Richard Hamilton scored 18 points for Detroit.

At Spurs 101, 76ers 98

Tim Duncan had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead San Antonio over Philadelphia. Sixers guard Allen Iverson did not play for the fourth time in the last five games because of a right knee injury.

At Suns 97,

Warriors 92

Raja Bell, James Jones and Boris Diaw each hit two free throws in the closing minutes, lifting Phoenix over Golden State.

Shawn Marion led the Suns with 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Jason Richardson topped the Warriors with 22 points.

Notes

• Utah Jazz center Robert Whaley was suspended two games without pay by the NBA for punching Adam Parada of the Los Angeles Lakers during an exhibition game.

• The Washington Wizards used a fourth-year option on swingman Jarvis Hayes, keeping him under contract through the 2006-07 season.

The Wizards released forward Hiram Fuller and guard Billy Thomas.

• Minnesota waived point guards Lionel Chalmers and John Lucas and forward Ryan Humphrey.

• Denver waived centers Eric Chenowith and Nigel Dixon and forwards Mark Pope and Theron Smith.

• First-year Cleveland coach Mike Brown finalized his 15-man roster, waiving guard Kelenna Azubuike and centers Obinna Ekezie and Jahidi White.

The cuts mean that center Zendon Hamilton and guard Mike Wilks, a pair of unsigned free agents, made the squad.

• The New Orleans Hornets waived guard Alex Garcia, who played eight games for the team last season.

• Toronto released guard Corey Williams and center Toree Morris.

• The Chicago Bulls waived rookie forward Randy Holcomb.

• The Phoenix Suns extended the fourth-year options on the rookie-scale contracts of guards Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw. The Suns also waived rookie guard Anthony Lever-Pedroza, son of former NBA star Lafayette "Fat" Lever.