Pacers, Heat start bracing to square off again

MIAMI | A year ago when Miami and Indiana faced off in the postseason, there were blood-drawing hits, flagrant fouls, technical fouls, choke signs being directed toward LeBron James and more than a few sharp-tongued comments.

The Pacers' Lance Stephenson celebrates

The Pacers' Lance Stephenson celebrates after hitting a basket and being fouled during the second half of Game 6 of an Eastern Conference semifinal Saturday.

George Hill

Knicks guard Raymond Felton fouls Pacers guard George Hill during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series.

Pacers not talking about changes, Hill's status

INDIANAPOLIS | The Pacers head into Game 6 against the New York Knicks in unfamiliar territory.

Late nights at gym likely to pay off for Oladipo

CHICAGO | Victor Oladipo mentions the late nights at the gym, the wear and tear on his key card, and he's quick to point out he's just a tad unusual, too.

Knicks try to stay alive Thursday against Pacers

GREENBURGH, N.Y. | Pablo Prigioni could return to the starting lineup. Jason Kidd will remain in the rotation.

Knicks try to stay alive Thursday against Pacers

The Pacers' Paul George is fouled by New York Knicks' Tyson Chandler during Game 4 on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Heat, Bulls set to start East semifinals

MIAMI | If needed, there's plenty of things Miami and Chicago could use as extra motivation before meeting in a playoff series, like how the Heat rolled to a win when they met in the Eastern Conference finals two years ago or how the Bulls snapped the reigning champions' 27-game winning stre…

Heat, Bulls set to start East semifinals

The Bulls' Joakim Noah, top, celebrates with Nate Robinson after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 99-93 in Game 7 of their first-round NBA playoff series Saturday. The Bulls won the series to advance to a second-round series against the Miami Heat beginning Monday.

Pacers beat Knicks 102-95 in Game 1

NEW YORK | David West scored 20 points, Paul George added 19 and the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 102-95 on Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Pacers beat Knicks 102-95 in Game 1

Pacers forward David West drives past New York Knicks forward Kenyon Martin at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

James wins MVP, 1 vote shy of unanimously

MIAMI | LeBron James is the overwhelming choice as the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

James wins MVP, 1 vote shy of unanimously

LeBron James goes up for a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers in March. James has won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the fourth time in five years.

Pacers finally win in Atlanta, on to 2nd round

Pacers power forward David West reacts in the closing moments during the second half of an NBA first-round playoff game against the Hawks on Friday in Atlanta. Indiana won 81-73 to take the series.

Pacers finish off Hawks

ATLANTA | The Pacers packed for an extended trip.

Nets, banged-up Bulls ready for Game 7 in Brooklyn

The Bulls' Joakim Noah (13) and Nate Robinson react to their 95-92 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series Thursday in Chicago. The Nets won 95-92.

Banged-up Bulls, Nets ready for Game 7 in Brooklyn

NEW YORK | Time for the Nets' biggest game in Brooklyn.

Orb

Exercise rider Jenn Patterson rides Kentucky Derby favorite Orb for a workout at Churchill Downs on Friday in Louisville, Ky.

Wide-open race expected in 139th Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. | A trainer flooding the field with five horses. A black jockey trying to make history, and a woman rider, too. Louisville coach Rick Pitino seeking a double — champions in racing and basketball. He's sure in the right place.

Bulls will try again to finish off Nets

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams, left, collides with Bulls guard Nate Robinson as he drives toward the basket in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Monday in New York.