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s star winger for at least the next two w

in Clan- und Funwars 25.02.2019 01:40
von lebaobei123 | 302 Beiträge

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers were back to being themselves Sunday. They made shots. They defended hard for 48 minutes. Lance Stephenson regained his swagger and, yes, the reeling Pacers even lked like a playoff-ready team. David West made three free throws in the final 15 seconds and Stephenson produced his league-leading fifth triple-double to give Indiana a 102-97 win over Oklahoma City 102-97, putting the Pacers on the cusp of clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. "Were going to treat it (the season finale) like a playoff game. We have to get that No. 1 spot," Stephenson said. "Thats what we wanted from the beginning of the season so we have to take it, not get it, we have to take it." All they need is a win Wednesday night at Orlando or one more Miami loss. The Heat visit Washington on Monday and host Philadelphia on Wednesday. Its been a wild second-half ride for Indiana (55-26), which held the top spot in the East from opening night in October until the last week of March. When the Pacers beat the Heat on March 26, they had a three-game lead and a seemingly firm grasp on home-court advantage. As the losses mounted, though, Miami charged back and finally tk the top spot on March 31. But rather than pulling away, the two-time defending champs gave the lead right back. Miami retk a one-half game by beating the Pacers at home Friday, then fell into a tie with Indiana after losing Saturday night in Atlanta. The Pacers went into Sundays game with six losses in eight games and the knowledge that all they had to do was win their last two -- because they have a better conference record than the Heat. So just like that, Indiana flipped the switch and got back to lking the a championship contender. Six players reached double figures including West, who had 21, and Stephenson, who had 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He broke Detlef Schrempfs franchise record for most triple doubles in a season (four in 1992-93). "Hes a big part of our personality, a big part of our edge, a fan favourite with gd reason and hes one of the head coachs favourites," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said after getting a low-five from Stephenson after a late 3-pointer. Paul George finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds and C.J. Watson scored a season high 20 points. The Pacers didnt even need much from Roy Hibbert, who had six rebounds, no points and was 0 for 9 from the field. The Thunder (58-22) shot 42.9 per cent from the field, were 7 of 28 on 3-pointers and were outrebounded 46-32. NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant had 38 points and Russell Westbrk had 21 as they rallied Oklahoma City from a 10-point deficit over the final seven minutes. The Thunder, who were trying to lock up the No. 2 seed in the West, have no doubt Indiana can play with the best in the NBA. "Whats surprising to me is the people who are down on them," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brks said. "In an 82-game season, youre going to have some tough times. Unfortunately for them, theyre having it late in the season. But all it takes is a game or two to get back on." What changed for the Pacers, aside from returning to their home court? They were gritty and selfless, the starters who sat out Wednesday at Milwaukee lked well-rested and the bench that produced a big win over the Bucks lked more confident. While there were still signs of lingering problems, such as 21 turnovers. Indiana stayed in control and closed it out late. After Georges 12-ft runner gave the Pacers an 87-77 lead with 6:59 to go, the Thunder charged back, tying the score at 89 when Westbrk hit a 3 with 2:46 to go. "We put ourselves in gd position, we just couldnt finish," Durant said. The Pacers wouldnt allow it. George broke the tie with a 3 and 2:09 to play, West followed that with two straight mid-range jumpers and Stephenson knocked down a 3 with 34.2 seconds left to give make it 97-91. "Were just trying to put together gd basketball at this point and hopefully carry it into the playoffs," West said. Notes: George welcomed a 15-year-old Cincinnati boy as part of the Make-A-Wish foundation. Roei, a Pacers fans, has been waiting 10 months for a liver/small bowel transplant. ... Indiana finished 35-6 at home and is assured of having the leagues best home record. ... Nick Collison received eight stitches to close a cut above his nose and backup guard Reggie Jackson injured his neck after running into Ian Mahinmis pick in the fourth quarter. kiestore.com/Pirates-Ivan-Nova-Kids-Jersey/" target="_blank">Ivan Nova Jersey . -- The NFL Players Association wants to determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaked information about quarterback Josh Freeman being in the NFLs substance abuse program. kiestore.com/Pirates-Starling-Marte-Kids-Jersey/" target="_blank">Starling Marte Jersey . Wade is posting a short film on his website next week, with a sneak preview scheduled to come out Wednesday. kiestore.com/Pirates-Austin-Meadows-Kids-Jersey/" target="_blank">http://www.piratesrkiestore.com/Pirate...ws-Kids-Jersey/. Louis and Ryan Kesler have demanded to be traded. kiestore.com/Pirates-Jordy-Mercer-Kids-Jersey/" target="_blank">Jordy Mercer Jersey .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. kiestore.com/Pirates-Bill-Mazeroski-Kids-Jersey/" target="_blank">Bill Mazeroski Jersey . Hazard lasted just 18 minutes in Tuesdays contest before being substituted with the calf problem, and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes he will be without his star winger for at least the next two weeks.Playing the halftime act at the Super Bowl is a major highlight for any artist. Although for this seasons big game, it lks like performers have to pay to get that opportunity. According a report from the Wall Street Journal, the NFL is asking possible performers for Super Bowl XLIV in Arizona to pay the league for the right to play the gig. The final candidates include Coldplay, Katyy Perry and Rihanna, according to the Journals sources.dddddddddddd. The report also says the league has asked some of the acts for compensation for the high-profile show. The NFL does not usually pay their acts for the Super Bowl. Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played at last years Super Bowl. The game goes Feb. 1, 2015 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. ' ' '

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