Grant Hill to Play in Game 3, Barbosa to Start, D'Antoni Confident

After two days hearing about how the Suns were probably not going to play Grant Hill in tonight's critical Game 3 against the Spurs due to his nagging groin injury, turns out ol' iron tin aluminum foil legs will go ahead and play. He'll be coming off the bench, but according to Paul Coro's excellent blog, he feels good enough to go and give significant minutes.

And boy, he better. Leandro Barbosa will start, who has been an abject disaster in this series so far, including a tragic 0-7 performance in game 2. But the Suns are 10-2 with Barbosa in the starting lineup, and it's possible that with a 3 guard, 1 forward, 1 center combo, the Suns might be able to sustain their fast start. Hill coming off the bench might be able to even the field when Ginobili checks in, too. Of course, global warming MIGHT be a hoax, but the wife's making me recycle anyway. Dig?

Meanwhile, Coach Mike D'Antoni exuded nothing but confidence Thursday, saying that the Suns are going to "play Friday, and (that they're) going to bust them up Friday." We'll see if his club is able to back up the coach's strong words.