NEWS » tting to know the guys, and I hope to

SALT LAKE CITY -- In his first game back from a sprained thumb, George Hill showed why he is becoming Utahs most indispensable player.The Jazz hope for more of the same from Hill on Friday when they host the Atlanta Hawks at Vivint Smart Home Arena.Hills fingerprints could be seen everywhere in a 108-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He led the team in scoring for the fifth time this season -- finishing with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.Hills presence also had a calming effect on his teammates. When he was on the floor, offensive sets ran to perfection on a majority of possessions and, on the other end, the Jazz (8-8) defended at a high level.Its still early, but Utahs decision to trade for Hill appears to be the most shrewd offseason move by any NBA team.He makes the game easier for everybody, so its great to have him back out on the court, Gordon Hayward said after Wednesdays victory over the Nuggets. You can see the impact he had on the game. Hes a tremendous basketball player on both ends of the floor.Hill is averaging a career-best 20.6 points and dishing out 4.8 assists. He has totaled just 10 turnovers over eight games. Even while he was sidelined for eight games, the veteran guard did all he could to make sure he hit the ground running once he came back.Once back, he helped Utah snap a four-game losing streak and put together its best offensive output since a 109-84 victory over Philadelphia on Nov. 7.Any time you miss a lot of games -- especially when your team is losing -- you want to get back out there and be a part of it, Hill said. Its always fun to be out there with these guys and fighting night in and night out.Atlanta (10-5) should offer a better measuring stick to see if Utah has put its struggles in the rearview mirror. The Hawks rolled to a 96-85 victory over Indiana on Wednesday behind double-doubles from both Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap.Howard totaled 23 points and 20 rebounds while Millsap finished with 18 points and 11 boards. The duo helped Atlanta finish with a 56-37 advantage on the glass. Seventeen of those were offensive boards which the Hawks turned into 19 second-chance points.I thought we came out here tonight with a certain level of focus, and we were able to sustain it throughout the game, Millsap said following Wednesday nights win.Atlanta is an efficient team on offense and should present a nice test for Utahs defense. The Hawks shoot 46.9 percent from the field and average 24.6 assists per game. In both offensive categories, they rank among the top 5 NBA teams.Utah and Atlanta split the season series a year ago, with each team winning on the road. The Hawks prevailed 91-84 in Salt Lake City on Mar. 8 after rallying from a double-digit deficit in the second quarter. Atlanta has won 12 of the last 14 games between the two teams.Jorge Torres Nilo Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Nestor Araujo Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Hector-Herrera-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Jesus Duenas Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Paul Aguilar Mexico Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester.VANCOUVER -- When Andy OBrien went down with a hamstring injury in Seattle, he did not expect to miss much time. But the recovery took two months. "Its certainly been a bit longer than I wanted it to," said OBrien. "As the weeks went by, I stopped putting a target on what game I would be actually back for." OBrien, who felt like the had been "shot in the leg" when hurt in early June, is expected to make his return to the Vancouver lineup Saturday when the Whitecaps host the San Jose Earthquakes. The 34-year-old Harrogate, England native has missed nine games after he expected to miss just one. "Its good now being able to talk to you about, maybe, being available for the first team," said OBrien following a practice Friday. OBriens return is timely because fellow central defender Brad Rusin is slated to miss the game with an ankle injury. Rusin, injured last weekend in a 1-1 tie at Portland, is out for the third time this season. The 26-year-old Crown Point, Ind., natives absence adds to the ongoing woes of a back line that has battled injuries all season long. OBrien, who signed a one-year contract extension this week, appears unlikely to start. But he could see some minutes off the bench as he eases his way back into action while the Whitecaps prepare for the stretch drive of the season. "Hes been out for longer than we thought, and hes a very important player for us," said Vancouver coach Martin Rennie. "He brings a lot of experience and leadership, so its nice to have him back." Prior to joining the Whitecaps, OBrien, who has overcome a public battle with depression, made nearly 500 appearances with English clubs including Premier League sides Bradford, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Bolton. The dual British-Irish citizen also played in the UEFA Champions League with Newcastle United and was a member of the Republic of Irelands 2002 FIFA World Cup squad. He will provide a calming presence to a club that has seen its string of success start to unravel lately. The Whitecaps have only one point -- from the key draw against Portland -- in the last three games after going unbeaten in six. Heading into this weekends play, the Whitecaps (9-7-6) sit tied for fourth place in the Western Conference but the Earthquakes (8-9-6) can pull even with Vancouver with a victory. Despite their low position, the Earthquakes are not languishing. San Jose has won three games in a row, posting two clean sheets in the process, and finds itself only three points back of the Whitecaps. The Earthquakes have turned their season around since Vancouver native Mark Watson, a former Canadian national team player with 78 international caps, was appointed interim coach.dddddddddddd Watson was elevated from his assistants post, a position he has also held with Canadas national mens team. He replaced former coach Frank Yallop, another Vancouverite and former Canadian coach, who parted ways with San Jose in June. Rennie is not putting emphasis on the games significance in the standings. "Looking at the table isnt that important," said Rennie. "Whats really important is how we play and how we go about our job. a You could win three in a row and still be in the same position if other teams win." Meanwhile, Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted will make his second consecutive start after seeing his first action with the club last weekend in Portland. "Im looking forward to coming into B.C. Place and meeting the fans and having my first home game," he said. Ousted, a former Danish Superliga star who signed with the Whitecaps in late June, will be counted on to help the Whitecaps maintain their strong record at home, where they are 7-1-3 this season. One opponent who could test him is striker Chris Wondolowski, who has seven goals in six career games against the Whitecaps. Wondolowski, the leagues most valuable player in 2012, scored two goals for San Jose last week against Chivas USA after missing a month while he was away playing for the American side that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 31-year-old Danville, Calif., native led the U.S. with five goals. While he attempts to maintain his good form, Ousted hopes a strong home effort will help him earn more starts. "Its important to get into a run of games and get in there and be comfortable with the back four and with the team," said the 28-year-old native of Greve, Denmark. "Its been good for me getting to know the guys, and I hope to play a lot of games from now on." Notes: Whitecaps midfielder Jun Marques Davidson is eligible to return after serving a one-game suspension for head-butting a Philadelphia player July 27, while fellow Caps midfielder Gershon Koffie will return after serving a one-game ban for yellow-card accumulation. a Vancouvers Nigel Reo-Coker and San Joses Steven Lenhart face an automatic one-game suspension for their next yellow cards. a Vancouvers Darren Mattocks continues to recuperate from arthroscopic knee surgery, but has yet to resume training with the team. Fellow striker Kenny Miller will return after missing last weekends game with a groin injury. ... San Jose defender Ty Harden (hip) and Peter McGlynn (undisclosed) are out with injuries. ' ' '