BASKETBALL

LATEST MAGIC TRICK: VAN GUNDY IS NOW THE COACH

The Orlando Magic have their man … again.

This time, it’s Stan Van Gundy Billy Donovan says he feels “terrible” about all the confusion, but in sists Florida is where he belongs.

The Magic finally resolved their coaching quandary Thursday ending a rough two weeks in which they fired Brian Hill, pulled off the Donovan coup, then watched the bottom drop out on nearly every thing.

They were lucky to reel in Van Gundy — their second choice from the beginning — because the Sacramento Kings were pursuing the former Miami Heat coach.

Van Gundy said it didn’t bother him to be second choice. He saw great potential in the Magic, has family in the area and doesn’t have to move far from Miami. But it’s been a frenetic affair that has kept Van Gundy and his wife awake more than 36 straight hours.

BASEBALL

SCHILLING LOSES NO-HITTER WITH ONE OUT LEFT

Maybe the next time a Boston pitcher takes a no-hit bid into the ninth inning, he’ll listen to catcher Jason Varitek.

Curt Schilling came within one out of his first career no-hitter Thursday, losing his bid when Shannon Stewart lined a clean single to right field after Schilling shook off his catcher. Schilling finished with a one-hitter as the Red Sox beat the Oakland Athletics 1-0.

“We get two outs, and I was sure, and I had a plan, and I shook Tek off,” Schilling said. “And I get a big What if?’ for the rest of my life.”