Suns notebook: Rivers glad to see Hill playing

BOSTON - Grant Hill’s stat line Wednesday wasn’t a memorable one (four points, two assists, two blocks) but just seeing him on the floor again this season impressed Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

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Rivers coached Hill for three-plus seasons in Orlando (2000-03), but the forward only appeared in 47 games during that time due to multiple surgeries on his left ankle, including one to reshape his heal to realign his ankle.

The last surgery left Hill with a staph infection that hospitalized him for a week and required intravenous antibiotics for six months.

Such adversity would have knocked any other player out of the league, Rivers said, but he said he’s not surprised that Hill, who is averaging 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists, returned and is playing well.

“He loves basketball. … That’s what drives him,” Rivers said.

“I saw (him rehabbing) every day,” he continued. “He went to the pool and worked out when everybody was getting on him for not playing. … He could have easily just cashed it in. It was not like he needed to play, but he just kept working every day like he was going to play the next day.

“That was really nice to see, nice for some of the young guys I had in Orlando to see that commitment, work ethic, integrity and character and what all those things are about. Grant exhibits that. He’s a neat guy. I wish I could have actually coached him on the floor more.”

FOCUSING ON DEFENSE

During the last six games of their recent seven-game winning streak, the Suns shot a combined 55.0 percent from the field to move up to first in the league in that category (49.9).

They continued that trend against Boston, hitting 55.9 percent of their shots.

While impressive, coach Mike D’Antoni said Phoenix’s goal over the last few weeks of the season is to move into the top 10 in opponent field-goal percentage.

“I think that’s a better indicator of how well you’re playing at the other end,” rather than points allowed, D’Antoni said.

The Suns came into Wednesday’s game tied for 11th in the category at 45.5 percent, just behind New Jersey at 45.3.

During their winning streak, they held opponents to a combined 42.7 percent. Detroit was slightly better than that Monday (44.9 percent), but the trend was halted by the Celtics (fourth in the league overall at 47.6 percent). Boston shot 52.3 percent, including 58.5 percent in the second half when it took over the game.

GOOD DEAL

Count Rivers among those who think the Suns’ trade for Shaquille O’Neal was a smart move.

“Like I said on the day before we played them (last time), I loved the move,” Rivers said. “I thought it was the right move, and I think they’re a better team. They’re still scoring. … I think it’s helped them. I think in the playoffs when it slows down, it will help them more than it is now.”

BONUS SHOTS

Phoenix has now lost four straight to teams from the East after starting the season 22-2. … Brian Skinner, who entered with 1:46 remaining, saw his first action since playing five minutes March 19 at Seattle. … O’Neal said he chose Tempe as the city to do volunteer police work in because the police chiefs he worked for in the Los Angeles and Miami areas recommended him to Tempe police Chief Tom Ryff. …

The Suns’ wives will host their annual book drive April 6 when the Dallas Mavericks visit for a 12:30 p.m. game. New or gently used children’s or young adult books will be accepted.