National Basketball Association (NBA) champions Miami made it clear on Wednesday that they will not concede Eastern Conference supremacy to the Indiana Pacers without a fight.
LeBron James and the Heat outscored the Pacers 12-2 in the final three minutes to rally for a 97-94 victory in a duel between the East’s two top teams.
Ray Allen drained a go-ahead three-pointer with 59.5 seconds left to play as the Heat finally got some long-range shots to fall when it mattered.
Photo: AFP
The Heat, who came into the contest shooting 38.6 percent from three-point range, missed their first nine from beyond the arc before connecting on five of their last 12 attempts.
The Heat trailed by as many as 15 in the third, but Chris Bosh’s three-pointer knotted the score at 92-92 and Allen’s trey with just under a minute to play put Miami up 95-92. It was their first lead since the first quarter and they would not trail again.
Two free-throws by Indiana’s David West trimmed the deficit to 95-94 with 44.4 seconds to play, and Chris Anderson missed on Miami’s next possession.
The Pacers had the ball, but George Hill’s poor pass intended for Paul George was grabbed by James and after a Pacers foul, Allen added two free-throws for Miami.
George was off-target with a three-pointer that would have tied it up with four seconds remaining.
Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 32 points, while James, playing on a sore left ankle, added 24 and Bosh chipped in 15.
Miami downed the Pacers in an epic seven-game Eastern Conference finals battle last season en route to a second straight NBA crown.
Last week the Pacers, who lead the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-5, used a late surge to down the Heat in Indianapolis, and James acknowledged that despite the fact it is still relatively early in the season, the game had a playoff intensity.
“We want to protect home court,” said James, whose Heat improved to 19-6. “They protected their home court last week.”
The next time the teams will see each other is at the All-Star Game, where Indiana coach Frank Vogel will almost certainly be coaching an East team that will have many of his guys — as well as James, Wade and Chris Bosh — all sharing a locker room.
“I’m actually kind of sad we don’t play them for three months,” James said. “This is a really, really good thing, going against these guys. They bring out the best in us. We try to bring out the best in them. It was fun. It was fun these last eight days while it lasted, and now we can get on with the rest of our season.”
Both teams have 57 games left, and are separated by a game in the East.
In other play, it was:
‧ Houston 109, Chicago 94
‧ Clippers 108, New Orleans 95
‧ Dallas 105, Memphis 91
‧ Atlanta 124, Sacramento 107
‧ Boston 106, Detroit 107
‧ Brooklyn Nets 107, Washing-
ton 113
‧ Phoenix 101, San Antonio 108
‧ Milwaukee 101, Knicks 107 (OT)
‧ Minnesota 120, Portland 109
‧ Orlando 82, Utah 86
‧ Toronto 102, Charlotte 104
(OT)
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely