Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he’s fine with the physical play between his team and the Hawks in their Eastern Conference playoff series.
But Van Gundy said he’s frustrated by what he calls the Hawks “flopping” in an attempt to draw fouls.
“I like it when guys stand up and fight like men,” Van Gundy said Saturday. “I think that is what the game is all about. The one thing that frustrates me is all the flopping.”
Van Gundy cited three plays from the Hawks’ 88-84 victory in Game 3 on Friday.
Hawks center Jason Collins drew a charging call when he hit the court after contact with Orlando center Dwight Howard and later did the same to guard Jameer Nelson. Van Gundy said Howard “touched [Hawks center] Zaza Pachulia in the chest on a screen and that sent him to the floor.”
“The one thing I learned is our guys are a lot stronger than I thought they were,” Van Gundy said sarcastically.
The Magic coach said his team doesn’t flop and “treats it with disdain,” though he believes the tactic works. He said the Hawks are getting away with a lot of contact against Howard and then at the other end “guys take a dive and get a call.”
“All I would like to see is let’s either play it physical, or if we are going to call [fouls] when a guy barely gets hit and he flops down and lays on the floor, then let’s call every time Dwight gets hit,” Van Gundy said.
Role model
As Pachulia talked to reporters Saturday about his physical altercation with Orlando’s Jason Richardson in Game 3, Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins walked by and playfully shadowboxed in Pachulia’s direction.
“I’m learning from that guy,” Pachulia joked.
Wilkins, a Hawks broadcaster, scuffled with an acquaintance who confronted him after a Hawks game last month.
Etc.
Hawks coach Larry Drew told Collins to “report directly to the training room” Saturday for treatment of the bruised tailbone Collins suffered during Game 3. Collins said he plans to play in Game 4 on Sunday. “It feels better than it did last night,” he said Saturday. “During the game we will try to keep it warm.” ... According to ESPN Stats, Hawks guard Jamal Crawford is the seventh player to score 20 points or more as a reserve in three consecutive postseason games. Two players have done it four times in a row: Nick Van Exel in 2003 with Dallas and Kevin McHale in 1991 with Boston. Van Exel is a Hawks assistant coach. ... Hawks center Etan Thomas was back with the team Saturday after missing Game 3 to attend funeral services for his grandfather. He likely will be on the active roster Sunday with Pachulia suspended for a fighting foul in Game 3.
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