SBNation.com - NBA schedule: Pacers best Heat in Eastern Conference finals rematchhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2013-12-11T12:38:37-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/49618652013-12-11T12:38:37-05:002013-12-11T12:38:37-05:00Miami's Hibbert problem
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Indiana center played his best game of the season on Tuesday night. He's becoming a problem without an answer in the Heat's bid for a third straight title.</p> <p><span>LeBron James</span> came around the screen with a full head of steam and a narrow path to the basket. <span>Roy Hibbert</span> knew where he had to be. The <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a> center recovered to the rim just in time to meet James in the air and alter his shot with Indiana clinging to a five-point lead with under 2 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.</p>
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<p>It was a play James has been converting for a decade at this point. It's one he usually dunks home. But in what's become a disturbing trend for the Heat, Hibbert again found a way to foil Miami's expected outcome. Empowered by the laws of verticality and motivated by a losing effort in the dog fight that was last season's Eastern Conference finals, Hibbert forced James' layup to careen off the side of the rim, where Pacers teammate <span>Lance Stephenson</span> grabbed the rebound.</p>
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<b>Indy Cornrows</b>: <a target="new" href="http://www.indycornrows.com/2013/12/10/5198534/roy-hibbert-pacers-play-big-in-comeback-win-over-heat">Hibbert comes up huge</a>
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<p>It was only one play, but it underlined Indiana's newfound confidence and physical advantage this season. The Heat simply have no answer for Roy Hibbert.</p>
<p>Hibbert played a spectacular two-way game in the Pacers' 90-84 win in front of a charged atmosphere in Indiana on Tuesday night. The center paced Indiana's struggling offense early and helped lock down Miami's attacks at the rim late. Hibbert set the tone by scoring nine of the Pacers' first 11 points on the way to his best game of the season, a 24-point, five-rebound performance that saw him shoot 10-of-15 from the field. While the surface-level numbers are impressive, they don't truly capture his impact on the game.</p>
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<h2>More Pacers-Heat coverage</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3705641/USATSI_7609744_w_400.jpg"><span><b>ZILLER:</b> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/11/5199422/indiana-pacers-miami-heat-roy-hibbert">Indy's vicious D</a><br><b>INDY CORNROWS:</b> <a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/2013/12/10/5198534/roy-hibbert-pacers-play-big-in-comeback-win-over-heat">Roy leads the way</a><br><b>HOT HOT HOOPS:</b> <a href="http://www.hothothoops.com/2013/12/10/5198684/recap-heat-hold-heads-high-as-they-lose-to-pacers">Heat have perspective</a></span>
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<p>Hibbert has been a different player since last season's conference finals, a statement that also extends to the emergence of the Pacers' best player, <span>Paul George</span>. A year ago, Hibbert seemed to use the regular season to work himself into shape after signing a max contract with the Pacers many felt to be unwarranted at the time.</p>
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<p>There's no doubt Hibbert is worth every penny a year later. He's Indiana's trump card in the likely Eastern Conference Finals rematch this season, and he's morphing into an irreplaceable force for the Pacers. As long as Hibbert is healthy, Indiana believes it has a legitimate shot at ending the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat's</a> bid for a three-peat before it reaches the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Finals</a>.</p>
<p>The Pacers' stated goal is to grab the No. 1 seed in the East this season. They're not hiding from it. Indiana lost to the Heat in a Game 7 in Miami a season ago, and believes the outcome would have been different had the game been played in front of its home crowd. The Pacers' blistering 19-3 start has them in position to accomplish the task. It's a testament to Hibbert's commitment to keeping himself in shape as much as anything else.</p>
<p>Hibbert, as legend has it, <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7881895/how-indiana-pacers-all-star-center-roy-hibbert-avoided-becoming-stiff" target="_blank">couldn't do a single pushup</a> when he enrolled at Georgetown in 2004. His perceived lack of mobility was the reason Indiana was able to grab him outside of the lottery at pick No. 17 in the 2008 draft. The Pacers have showed patience and faith in the center ever since, and his performance against the Heat on Tuesday, a day before his 27th birthday, proved once again the investment is paying off.</p>
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<p>Just 22 games into the season, Hibbert looks like the odds-on choice for Defensive Player of the Year. He's the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the league for the second season in a row. His offense is better than ever, too. Right now, the Pacers are 17 points better per 100 possessions offensively and 8.5 points better defensively with Hibbert on the floor, <a href="http://nba.com">per NBA.com</a>. Unlike some of the other dominant centers around the league, he's not a liability at the foul line late in games.</p>
<p>Most importantly, Hibbert's averaging more than 30 minutes a game for the first time in his career this season. Though the Pacers will go to great lengths to preserve him for the playoffs, the number is still impressive. It shows all of the work Hibbert put in to get his body to the point, and it shows the belief the Pacers always held in the big man to allow him to get there. And if Hibbert can play heavy minutes like this consistently into June, the Heat are in even more trouble.</p>
<p>Another Eastern Conference Finals meeting is still five and a half months away. The Heat don't seem too worried just yet, and they've earned that right as back-to-back champs. But save for a miracle in the form of <span>Greg Oden</span>, they aren't about to find an answer for Hibbert before the postseason begins. It's what Indiana has always been banking on.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/11/5199860/roy-hibbert-indiana-pacers-miami-heatRicky O'Donnell2013-12-11T09:00:02-05:002013-12-11T09:00:02-05:00Indy beats Miami in battle of beasts in the East
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<p>In Tuesday night NBA action, the Pacers beat the Heat in a battle of the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, and the Brooklyn Nets have won two straight games for the first time all season.</p> <p>Given the state of the rest of the conference, it appears to be inevitable that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> will meet in Eastern Conference Finals later this season. And I'm not sure anyone has a problem with that.</p>
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<p>Indiana came back from a 13-point second-quarter deficit and suffocated Miami down the stretch to pull out the 90-84 win and increase its lead in the standings, as the Pacers now lead the race for first in the East by three full games.</p>
<p><span>Roy Hibbert</span> went for 24 points to lead all scorers, and <span>Paul George</span> and <span>David West</span> scored 17 apiece in the Indy win. The Pacers' defense also held the Heat to 42.9 percent shooting, and <span>LeBron James</span> and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> put up just 17 points each to lead Miami.</p>
<p>The Pacers shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but their 21 turnovers were a problem that put them in a hole in the first half. But Indiana stuck with it, protecting the ball after the break and winning the rebound battle, 43-33, which continues to be a major issue for Miami.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> 104, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> 96</h4>
<p>Things haven't been good for the Nets so far this season. But with the return of <span>Deron Williams</span> and <span>Paul Pierce</span>, maybe things are on the mend.</p>
<p>Brooklyn defeated Boston 104-96 on Tuesday to win their second straight game, marking the first time all season the Nets have won two straight contests. Williams scored 25 points in 37 minutes in his return to the court, and the Nets got 24 from <span>Brook Lopez</span> on top of it.</p>
<p>The Nets managed to shoot better than 55 percent from the floor, committed just 13 turnovers and outrebounded the Celtics by seven boards in the win. But Boston managed to stay alive in the game by hitting 11 of 22 shots from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>However, the normally bad Brooklyn defense was the story here. On Tuesday, they held Boston to just 43.8 percent shooting despite the Celtics long-range success.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> 101, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> 92</h4>
<p>The Russell Westbrook injury days seem to be far behind us at this point. The Thunder dumped the Hawks, 101-92, on Tuesday, and Oklahoma City continues to impress even if Russ is still a bit on the mend.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Durant</span> went for 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, <span>Serge Ibaka</span> put up 19 and 10, and the Thunder continued to keep pace with the top of the Western Conference after yet another win. Oklahoma City held Atlanta to just 35.6 percent shooting, and despite shooting just 22 percent from three, managed to smother the Hawks on their home floor.</p>
<p>Atlanta got 23 points and 12 rebounds from <span>Paul Millsap</span>, 17 points from <span>Jeff Teague</span> and <span>Kyle Korver</span> hit another three to push his record streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer to 91. <span>Shelvin Mack</span> even had 17 points and six assists off the bench, but the Hawks just didn't get enough contributions elsewhere to overcome the rolling Thunder.</p>
<h4>Suns 114, <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> 108</h4>
<p>The Lakers have played two games with Kobe Bryant back on the floor, and they've dropped both of them at home to the Toronto Raptors, and now the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a>. Los Angeles looked a little better on Tuesday night than it did with Kobe on Sunday, but the home team still fell.</p>
<p>Bryant dropped in 20 points, <span>Pau Gasol</span> had 19 and the Lakers had six players in double figures, but the defense couldn't hold off the runnin' Suns.</p>
<p>Phoenix got 31 points from <span>Goran Dragic</span>, 22 from <span>Marcus Morris</span> and 18 from <span>Eric Bledsoe</span> and committed just 13 turnovers in the win. The Suns shot 51.8 percent from the field and outrebounded the Lakers, 43-32, in the process.</p>
<p>And while it wasn't all good for L.A., Kobe slowly but surely seems to be getting his legs back under him.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961045/KOBEDUNKs.gif"><img alt="Kobedunks_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961045/KOBEDUNKs_medium.gif"></a></p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> 116, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> 103</h4>
<p>The last time we saw the Spurs they were getting buried at home by the Pacers. But on Tuesday, San Antonio went into Toronto and smothered the Rudy-Gay-less Raptors, 116-103, behind another well-balanced attack.</p>
<p>The silver and black were without their starting center <span>Tiago Splitter</span>, whose absence on the defensive side of the ball has been an issue as of late, but the Spurs got a big effort from little-used <span>Aron Baynes</span>, who had 14 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.</p>
<p>He also helped stifle the early explosion of Jonas Valanciunas. The big man had 10 points before you could blink an eye in the first quarter, but he scored just four points the rest of the night, and it coincided with Baynes checking into the game for the first time.</p>
<p><span>Manu Ginobili</span> led the Spurs with 16 points and nine assists as one of seven Spurs in double figures. On the other side of the ball, <span>DeMar DeRozan</span> and <span>Amir Johnson</span>, who's been playing very well, went for 19 points apiece.</p>
<p>And despite the Raptors loss, Johnson did this to <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, whose life had only just begun...</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961069/826852856.gif"><img alt="826852856_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961069/826852856_medium.gif"></a></p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> 121, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> 94</h4>
<p>Upon further review, <span>Kevin Love</span> is good at basketball. The Timberwolves' power forward went for 26 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in JUST 30 MINUTES as Minnesota dismantled Detroit, 121-94, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>Holy moly. The Wolves shot 48 percent from the floor, hit 11 of their 24 threes and dished out 31 assists in the blowout. The Pistons, on the other hand, managed to hit just eight of their 28 shots from downtown and committed 20 turnovers on the night. And Minnesota just made it look easy. All five starters scored in double figures, and the Wolves got 33 points from their reserves in the process.</p>
<p>Once again, Detroit demonstrated its inability to shoot the ball from range. The huge Pistons even got outrebounded, 46-39, which is something they can't afford given that they can't spread the floor.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> 78, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> 74</h4>
<p>Oh boy. It's been a rough season for both of these teams, and Tuesday night was nothing new in that capacity. Milwaukee went on the road to beat Chicago, 78-74, but unfortunately just decreased their chances of winning the NBA Lottery.</p>
<p>But the Bucks got a big game from young big man John Henson. The second-year forward form North Carolina put up 25 points, 14 boards and six blocks, and Milwaukee still barely hung on with 78 total points. Also, Henson did this:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961075/826865455.gif"><img alt="826865455" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1961075/826865455.gif"></a></p>
<p><span>Brandon Knight</span> scored 19 points (on 23 shots!) and <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> chipped in 10 of his own. So Milwaukee got 54 points from three players and still scored just 78 points.</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, Chicago got 24 points from <span>Mike Dunleavy</span>, 21 from <span>Carlos Boozer</span>, 13 from <span>Tony Snell</span> and 10 from <span>Taj Gibson</span>, yet still managed just 74 points.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> 109, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> 94</h4>
<p>Well, it certainly appears the Cavs are starting to find their groove. Then again, they were playing the Knicks.</p>
<p>Cleveland beat New York, 109-94, on Tuesday night, giving them four wins in their last five games and drawing them ever closer to the Eastern Conference playoff picture. they are now just two games back in the loss column of the final spot.</p>
<p><span>Kyrie Irving</span> was a magician in this one, tormenting any Knick that attempted to guard him. Cleveland's franchise player contributed 37 points on 23 shots, and dished out 11 assists int he process. And he got help in the form of 17 points off the bench from <span>Jarrett Jack</span>.</p>
<p>And things just keep getting worse for New York. This team got 29 points from <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> on just 19 shots, and Amar'e Stoudemire even pitched in 15 points on his own. But it didn't matter.</p>
<p>Also, <span>J.R. Smith</span>...</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/11/5198788/nba-scores-2013-pacers-heatMatthew Tynan2013-12-10T22:58:45-05:002013-12-10T22:58:45-05:00Kobe's first dunk post-injury is something we know
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<p>Now that's the Kobe we're used to. Kind of.</p> <p>Kobe Bryant had a rough first game in his return from a torn Achilles tendon, fraught with turnovers and the look of a Kobe we are not used to.</p>
<p>But we got a glimpse of a more familiar incarnation tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> as he went to his bread and butter in the post, wearing down <span>P.J. Tucker</span> and getting past him for a dunk. It wasn't the same explosiveness we know from Kobe, even in recent years at his age, but as he gets back into shape, perhaps that will return as well.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198748/lakers-suns-kobe-dunk-achilles-injury-returnBen Swanson2013-12-10T22:08:02-05:002013-12-10T22:08:02-05:00Nets beat Celtics, 104-96, in Williams' return
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<p>Brooklyn wins two straight games for the first time all season.</p> <p>If you've paid any attention to the NBA this season, you know things have not gone well for the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> so far. But with the return of <span>Deron Williams</span> and <span>Paul Pierce</span>, perhaps their fortunes are about to turn.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics Blog</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets Daily</a>
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<p>Brooklyn defeated Boston 104-96 on Tuesday to win their second straight game behind 25 points from Williams (who played 37 minutes) and 24 from Brook Lopez. This marks the first time all season the Nets have won two consecutive games, and they're now 7-14 on the season.</p>
<p>The Nets managed to shoot better than 55 percent from the floor, committed just 13 turnovers and outrebounded the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a>, 42-35, in the win. But Boston managed to stay alive in the game by hitting 11 of their 22 threes, as opposed to Brooklyn's 3-for-12 performance from beyond the arc.</p>
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<p>But it was the Nets' defense that was the story overall, because it's been awful so far this season. On Tuesday, they held Boston to just 43 percent shooting despite the Celtics long-range success.</p>
<p>The Celtics beat the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> by 41 points on Sunday, a team that recently crushed the Nets. There's obviously a long way to go, and getting your most important player back on the floor is a big deal, so maybe the fighting Jason Kidd's have turned over a new leaf as the change in the calendar year approaches.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198548/celtics-vs-nets-final-score-recapMatthew Tynan2013-12-10T22:06:25-05:002013-12-10T22:06:25-05:00Durant leads Thunder in gritty win vs. Hawks
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawks made a run late to make it a close game down the stretch, but couldn't get enough stops to complete the upset on their home floor. </p> <p><span>Kevin Durant</span> had a game-high 30 points to lead the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> past the resilient <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> on the road on Tuesday night, 101-92.</p>
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<p>Oklahoma City (16-4) was in control for most of the game, leading by as many as 15, but <span>Shelvin Mack</span> hit a jumper with 2:06 remaining in the game to bring the Hawks (11-11) to within three. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> drove baseline for a reverse layup on the ensuing possession to put the Thunder back up by five, and they never looked back.</p>
<p>Durant's stat line didn't come without blemishes. The superstar missed four total free throws and several shots down the stretch to give the Hawks life late. He finished just 9-of-21 from the field and was 1-of-3 from beyond the arc while adding 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots. <span>Serge Ibaka</span> notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
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<p>The Thunder had 17 turnovers that helped to keep the Hawks within striking distance and shot a dismal 22.2 percent from the three-point line. They mitigated those deficiencies by outscoring Atlanta in the paint, 38-28.</p>
<p>Paul Milsap led the way for the Hawks, finishing with 23 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Mack and <span>Jeff Teague</span> added 17 points apiece, with 10 of Mack's total coming in the final frame.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198524/thunder-vs-hawks-final-score-recap-kevin-durant-serge-ibakaMichael Jones2013-12-10T21:39:49-05:002013-12-10T21:39:49-05:00Pacers' defense suffocates Heat in 90-84 win
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Roy Hibbert goes for 24 points as Miami once again has issues with a bigger team.</p> <p>Given the state of the rest of the conference, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> versus <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> appears to be the inevitable Eastern Conference Finals matchup. And none of us are complaining one bit about it.</p>
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<p>Indiana came back from a 13-point second-quarter deficit and suffocated Miami down the stretch to pull out the 90-84 win and increase its lead in the conference. The Pacers made just enough plays late in the game to keep themselves out of arm's reach of the Heat and protect home court.</p>
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<p><span>Roy Hibbert</span> went for 24 points to lead all scorers, and <span>Paul George</span> and <span>David West</span> scored 17 apiece in the Indy win. The Pacers' defense also held the Heat to less than 43 percent shooting, as <span>LeBron James</span> and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> put up just 17 points each to lead Miami.</p>
<p>The Pacers shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but turnovers allowed the Heat to take a big lead early in the game and stick around all night. Indiana also won the rebound battle, 43-33, which continues to be a major issue for Miami.</p>
<p>I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say, please give us seven games of this in late May, NBA.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198398/heat-vs-pacers-final-scoreMatthew Tynan2013-12-10T21:03:02-05:002013-12-10T21:03:02-05:00J.R. Smith passes to his opponent because why not
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>J.R. Smith had plenty of Knicks to pass to here, but instead goes with the Cavs player.</p> <p>Following up on his Sixth Man Of The Year Award,<span> J.R. Smith</span> is having one heck of a season so far. Sporting a whopping 34.8 field goal percentage and only a marginally positive assist-to-turnover ratio, Smith hasn't quite been helping the Knicks get back on track with his play following a big contract.</p>
<p>Tonight has been more of the same, even against the wildly inconsistent <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers,</a> as he's currently 4-for-12 from the field. But even that's kind of minor after watching this turnover:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3702849/jrsmithnoo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Jrsmithnoo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3702849/jrsmithnoo_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>Your 2013-14 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>! Feel the excitement coursing through your veins!</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198348/whirling-dervish-j-r-smith-doesnt-like-to-pass-unless-its-to-opponentsBen Swanson2013-12-10T20:54:31-05:002013-12-10T20:54:31-05:00Whoops! West hits Hibbert in the face with a pass
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bonk!</p> <p>I thought we couldn't beat the GIF of <span>Gerald Henderson</span> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/11/29/5158870/gerald-henderson-hits-fan-in-face-basketball-bobcats-bucks">nailing a poor unsuspecting fan in the noggin</a> with a wild pass, but daggone, lookit here, pals.</p>
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<p>I'll leave it up to y'all to decide which is better, but I don't know how you can beat a point blank pass to the face to your teammate only a couple feet away. The camera fake just adds to the depth.</p>
<p>Mesmerizing.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/10/5198358/david-west-nails-roy-hibbert-square-in-the-face-with-passBen Swanson