Murray Warming Up to Bench Time

Forward Lamond Murray, who averaged 15.2 points in five games as a starter, returned to the bench for Sunday’s 89-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Georgia Tech.

Murray, who used to throw a fit when Coach Bill Fitch benched him, has learned to keep his mouth shut after being fined and suspended for complaining about his playing time two years ago.

“[Starting] doesn’t matter as long as I’m out there on the floor,” Murray said. “I’ll do what I can with the minutes I get.”

Murray, who had to be helped off the court after injuring his head and back while trying to block a shot by Alan Henderson with 3:55 to play, had two points and one rebound in nine minutes.

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Rookie forward Maurice Taylor missed his third consecutive game after flying to Detroit to be with his grandmother, who was seriously injured in a car accident.

Taylor will rejoin the team for Tuesday’s game at Orlando.