SALT LAKE CITY -- Life during Gordon Haywards absence may not be too difficult for the Utah Jazz to handle after all. Behind the inspired play of veteran point guard George Hill, the Jazz are proving to be a tough customer even while Hayward continues to heal from a broken finger.Hill is enjoying the finest start to a season during his nine-year NBA career. Through five games, he is averaging a team-best 21.4 points while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Hill has been a steadying influence for Utahs offense, providing energy on critical baskets and timely assists.Im glad my teammates have confidence in me in controlling the tempo out there and trying to make plays, Hill said, after scoring a season-high 25 points to lead the Jazz to a 97-81 victory over Dallas on Wednesday night. Numbers or not, I just want to win.When the Jazz (3-2) acquired Hill in a trade with Indiana over the summer, it gave them a legitimate floor general at point guard -- something that Utah has sorely lacked in recent seasons. He has done everything the team hoped he could do -- and more -- since the trade.Handling the scoring load just comes with the territory of Hill showing Utah that the team made a wise decisionWe had a high opinion of George, thats why we traded for him, Utah coach Quin Snyder said. Thats the essence of who he is. Hes just going to do is asked of him and what he thinks that he needs to do to help us win games. Thats what hes done.San Antonio needs no introduction to how dangerous Hill can be on the court. He spent his first three years in the league with the Spurs, averaging 9.9 points and 2.4 assists in 231 games.Hill caused all sorts of trouble for San Antonio on Tuesday, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and dishing out seven assists to lead the Jazz to a 106-91 victory. It marked Utahs first road victory over the Spurs since 2010. It also was the teams first victory over San Antonio since a 90-81 defeat in Salt Lake City on Feb. 23, 2015.The Spurs had no answer for the energy he generated and spread throughout the rest of the Jazz roster.They were aggressive the entire 48 minutes and we were in and out in that regard and it cost us, Spurs coach Greg Popovich said.The Spurs (4-1) will be shorthanded in their quest to avenge their only loss this season. Tony Parker and Danny Green will not play on Friday night. Parker is out with a sore right knee and Green is sidelined with a left quad strain.Their absence means Kawhi Leonard will have to deliver a big performance again for San Antonio. Leonard has led the team in scoring all five games this season and totaled 30 points against Utah. The 6th-year forward is averaging 28.4 points per game, which ranks 7th among NBA players this season.Leonard has increased his scoring average each of the previous five seasons. He also saw significant improvements in his field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and 3-point field-goal percentage last season.San Antonio swept the season series with Utah a year ago, winning all four games between the two team by an average margin of 21 points. Jean-Sebastien Giguere Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Patrick Eaves Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. http://www.cheapducksjerseyschina.com/corey-perry-jersey/ . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Teemu Selanne Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Antoine Vermette Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). BELGRADE, Serbia -- Kyle Edmund will open for defending champion Britain against Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Friday.In the second opening singles, James Ward will play Dusan Lajovic.Both teams were without their top stars; Wimbledon champion Andy Murray for Britain, and top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki for Serbia.Murray still arrived in the Serbian capital on Thursday to support the team.Murray won all eight of his singlles in leading Britain to its first Davis Cup title in 79 years last year.ddddddddddddIn Saturdays doubles, Dom Inglot and Jamie Murray are scheduled to play Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic. The reverse singles are on Sunday.The best-of-five tie will be on clay at the Tasmajdan outdoor stadium, with showers predicted throughout the weekend. ' ' ' ams first victory over San Antonio since a 90-81 defeat in Salt Lake City on Feb. 23, 2015.The Spurs had no answer for the energy he generated and spread throughout the rest of the Jazz roster.They were