Hezonja comes through late

Magic swingman Mario

Hezonja has had to hear about other rookies this season, especially Kristaps

Porzingis, picked one spot ahead of Hezonja at No. 4.

The Croatian-born Hezonja hasn’t played as big a role as the 7-foot-3 Porzingis of Latvia has with the New York Knicks.

Slowly adapting to the NBA game and earning coach Scott Skiles’ trust, Hezonja has had his moments, including Monday night against the Hawks in Atlanta.

Hezonja hit 6-of-14 shots and scored 14 points while adding nine rebounds in the Magic’s 117-110 comeback overtime win.

His reputation overseas was of a confident – borderline cocky – player who was not afraid of the big moment.

With Orlando trailing 100-98, Hezonja made a 3-pointer with 14.8 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Magic a 101-100 lead. He was on the floor because Skiles had a hunch.

“(Hezonja) stayed in in a large part because Vic ( Oladipo) went down,” Skiles said, referring to Oladipo leaving the floor briefly after taking an inadvertent elbow in the nose. “But then (trainers) said Vic was ready. I just felt like Mario might hit a big shot for us and he did.”

Smith wants to stay

F Jason Smith can become a free agent this summer, but he feels like he’s found a niche in Orlando.

A seven-year veteran, Smith signed a one-year, $4.3 million contract with the Magic last summer.

“I like it here. The coaching staff knows what they’re going to get out of me. We’re on the same page. For me, it’s really about helping these young guys develop and knowing my role,” Smith said.

“I’d love to be here. It’s a challenge to continually move every year, but you know what? It’s a great job. You can’t complain. I get to do what I love for a living. And I never complain about that no matter if it’s here or someplace else or if I have to move a couple times. It’s still an amazing opportunity for me.”

Smith came off the bench early in the first quarter against the Hawks on Monday night. He provided a spark to a sluggish starting five, three of whom were benched by Skiles.

Smith finished with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and defensively, the 7-footer blocked four shots.

He also isn’t afraid to be physical, perhaps throwing a well-placed body part into a defender.

“I’d like to classify that as playing hard,” Smith said, laughing. “Also having that sense to knock down a nice mid-range jumper, not afraid to set a screen here and there and go out there and make my presence known.”

Layups

The Magic had a seasonhigh 37 assists against the Hawks on Monday night, with Oladipo posting eight, PG Elfrid Payton seven and C Nik Vucevic six…Vucevic recorded his 23rd double-double of the season with 28 points and 13 rebounds….Payton enjoyed one of his better shooting games, going 8-of-15 from the field, with two-3-pointers in four attempts…The Spurs, who face the Magic tonight at Amway Center, took a 43-8 record into Tuesday night’s game against the Heat in Miami. ...It was the eighth consecutive game that veteran star Tim Duncan (sore knee) has missed. Spurs SF Manu Ginobili (testicular surgery) is expected to be out a month.