http://www.mail.com/organizations/3780-nba-central-division.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/3780-nba-central-division.html http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2106534-heat-pacers-game-2-better.html MIAMI (AP) — Losing a game at the final buzzer, no less than a playoff game on the road against the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, would seem to have potential to demoralize the Indiana Pacers. Or not. "Our belief," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Thursday, "has strengthened." Barely 12 hours after LeBron James scored on a drive as time expired in overti... Thu, 23 May 2013 21:21:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2106534-heat-pacers-game-2-better.html 2013-05-23T21:21:40Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2103866-nba-draft-order-set-who-no-1.html The Cleveland Cavaliers are on top of the NBA draft yet again, only this time there is no LeBron James waiting to save them. There may not even be a Kyrie Irving. The first big NBA draft question was answered Tuesday night when the Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years. But there are still plenty of questions left with a draft that ... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:15:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2103866-nba-draft-order-set-who-no-1.html 2013-05-22T21:15:48Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101228-experienced-heat-upstart-pacers-ready-to.html MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade's rookie season ended with a playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. The next year, the Miami Heat were headed to the Eastern Conference finals and certain that an NBA championship was in their sights. That's when Wade learned a valuable lesson: Never take playoff chances for granted. Wade hurt his rib cage on a simple crossover dribb... Tue, 21 May 2013 20:32:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101228-experienced-heat-upstart-pacers-ready-to.html 2013-05-21T20:32:03Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2098710-bosh-aiming-to-impactful-pacers.html MIAMI (AP) — This is the matchup Chris Bosh wanted in the Eastern Conference finals. No, he might not necessarily enjoy going head-to-head with 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert when the Miami Heat open this series against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, especially since the Pacers' biggest man is arguably enjoying the best postseason run of his career to date.... Mon, 20 May 2013 21:31:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2098710-bosh-aiming-to-impactful-pacers.html 2013-05-20T21:31:12Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095774-pacers-knock-knicks-with-106-99-win-game-6.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana spent the entire season perfecting its defense. On Saturday, it produced the biggest payoff for the Pacers in nearly a decade. Roy Hibbert's block of Carmelo Anthony's dunk attempt midway through the fourth quarter spurred an 11-2 run that rallied the Pacers to a 106-99 victory in Game 6 of their second-round series, sending th... Sun, 19 May 2013 04:26:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095774-pacers-knock-knicks-with-106-99-win-game-6.html 2013-05-19T04:26:09Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095128-pacers-hill-cleared-to-play-game-6-vs-knicks.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers guard George Hill has been cleared to play Saturday night against the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Hill missed Game 5 on Thursday night in New York because of a concussion. The Pacers released a statement about 1½ hours before the scheduled tipoff saying Hill passed the NBA's retu... Sat, 18 May 2013 23:15:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095128-pacers-hill-cleared-to-play-game-6-vs-knicks.html 2013-05-18T23:15:14Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092244-anthony-28-knicks-beat-pacers-to-stay-alive.html NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony made two jumpers to open the game, knowing it wouldn't stay that easy. The defenses in this series are too good, so the difference is something else. "It's just a matter of who wants it more," Anthony said. On Thursday night, that was the Knicks. Anthony scored 28 points and New York avoided elimination in the Eastern Confe... Fri, 17 May 2013 07:46:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092244-anthony-28-knicks-beat-pacers-to-stay-alive.html 2013-05-17T07:46:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089138-heat-rally-bulls-to-advance-94-91.html MIAMI (AP) — The tape around Dwyane Wade's right knee was soaked with sweat and beginning to loosen, so he headed to the locker room to get the joint re-wrapped during the fourth quarter. Must have been one amazing tape job. Wade was brilliant down the stretch — and the Miami Heat are heading back to the Eastern Conference finals as a result. LeBron James... Thu, 16 May 2013 07:14:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089138-heat-rally-bulls-to-advance-94-91.html 2013-05-16T07:14:25Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2088668-knicks-try-to-stay-alive-thursday-pacers.html GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Pablo Prigioni could return to the starting lineup. Jason Kidd will remain in the rotation. Whichever players are on the court for the New York Knicks when they try to save their season Thursday night, coach Mike Woodson just wants them to shoot with confidence. "All you can do is continue to shoot and you shoot the next one, you'v... Wed, 15 May 2013 21:50:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2088668-knicks-try-to-stay-alive-thursday-pacers.html 2013-05-15T21:50:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2086168-pacers-rout-knicks-93-82-to-take-3-1-series-lead.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Carmelo Anthony tried to keep the New York Knicks in the game, even as his teammates missed shots all around him. Once Anthony stopped making them, the Indiana Pacers had pushed the Knicks to the brink of elimination. Anthony missed all four of his field goals in the fourth quarter and fouled out. Paul George had six points, four rebou... Wed, 15 May 2013 07:45:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2086168-pacers-rout-knicks-93-82-to-take-3-1-series-lead.html 2013-05-15T07:45:58Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085020-heat-home-chance-to-finish-bulls.html MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is limping around in obvious pain. LeBron James' shooting percentage is down. Shane Battier and Ray Allen have struggled to get anything going from 3-point range. The Eastern Conference semifinals have been far from perfect for the Miami Heat. And the reigning NBA champions are now in absolute control of this series nonetheless. B... Tue, 14 May 2013 17:34:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085020-heat-home-chance-to-finish-bulls.html 2013-05-14T17:34:22Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083212-james-heat-beat-bulls-88-65-3-1-series-lead.html CHICAGO (AP) — The way this series is turning out, it's hard to believe the Miami Heat ever trailed the Chicago Bulls. They're running away with the Eastern Conference semifinals, and another performance like this will end it. LeBron James scored 27 points and the Heat nearly matched a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a playoff game, pounding... Tue, 14 May 2013 07:19:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083212-james-heat-beat-bulls-88-65-3-1-series-lead.html 2013-05-14T07:19:11Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083008-bulls-deng-active-hinrich-game-4-vs-heat.html CHICAGO (AP) — Bulls forward Luol Deng was activated before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat on Monday night but was not in the starting lineup after initially being ruled out because of an illness. Veteran guard Kirk Hinrich was officially ruled out because of a bruised left calf, as was former MVP Derrick Rose, who's be... Mon, 13 May 2013 23:21:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083008-bulls-deng-active-hinrich-game-4-vs-heat.html 2013-05-13T23:21:45Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080700-james-shrugs-flopping-accusations.html CHICAGO (AP) — The suggestion that he's a flopper drew a grin as wide as his wingspan from LeBron James. Miami's superstar shot down the accusations from the Chicago Bulls, saying they reminded him of the days when some claimed he was overrated and questioned his ability to lead a team to a championship. "It's kind of the same (as when... Mon, 13 May 2013 00:26:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080700-james-shrugs-flopping-accusations.html 2013-05-13T00:26:17Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080588-bulls-thibodeau-fined-35000.html CHICAGO (AP) — The NBA has fined Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau $35,000 for comments he made about the officiating following Friday's loss to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The league announced the fine on Sunday. Thibodeau was upset that Nazr Mohammed got ejected for shoving LeBron James to the floor and accused the Hea... Sun, 12 May 2013 20:32:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080588-bulls-thibodeau-fined-35000.html 2013-05-12T20:32:18Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079736-pacers-protect-court-beat-knicks-82-71.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers kept everything in front of them Saturday night. The Pacers didn't let the Knicks get away from them on fast breaks, didn't let the Knicks get good 3-point looks and didn't even give New York a chance to challenge late. Instead, Roy Hibbert, Paul George and Indiana showed what it can do when it plays its game. ... Sun, 12 May 2013 04:20:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079736-pacers-protect-court-beat-knicks-82-71.html 2013-05-12T04:20:59Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079568-knicks-jr-smith-plays-through-illness-vs-pacers.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Knicks guard J.R. Smith played against the Pacers in Game 3 on Saturday night after being iffy to go because of an illness. Smith, the NBA's top sixth man, entered the game late in the first quarter and missed his first two shots -- both came up short. Coach Mike Woodson said during his pregame availability that Smith would warm up bef... Sun, 12 May 2013 00:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079568-knicks-jr-smith-plays-through-illness-vs-pacers.html 2013-05-12T00:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075278-parity-abounds-nba-conference-semifinals.html Parity has struck the NBA playoffs, where the conference semifinals are all fit to be tied. The four current series are all knotted at one game apiece — the first time that's happened in the second round of the NBA playoffs since the league went to its current format more than a quarter-century ago. For favorites like Miami, New York, San Antonio and Okla... Fri, 10 May 2013 03:16:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075278-parity-abounds-nba-conference-semifinals.html 2013-05-10T03:16:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075072-bulls-heat-prepare-fridays-pivotal-game-3.html DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — It started with the flu, and turned into a hospital stay. There were terrible headaches and weakness. Just walking was a chore. All at the worst time for Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star forward made an appearance at Chicago's practice facility on Thursday, but it was clear from his drawn appearance and measured tone th... Thu, 09 May 2013 22:16:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075072-bulls-heat-prepare-fridays-pivotal-game-3.html 2013-05-09T22:16:49Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2073414-bulls-heat-series-even-tensions-rising.html MIAMI (AP) — Carlos Boozer said the Chicago Bulls were feeling cheated. Mario Chalmers said the Miami Heat thought they were getting too many cheap shots. Tensions and emotions are now nearly as high as the stakes. In other words, this Bulls-Heat series is just getting started. Ray Allen scored 21 points in less than 19 minutes off the bench, LeBron James... Thu, 09 May 2013 07:16:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2073414-bulls-heat-series-even-tensions-rising.html 2013-05-09T07:16:47Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2072976-romp-heat-who-top-bulls-115-78.html MIAMI (AP) — For the first time in these playoffs, the Miami Heat were facing some real adversity. They responded with a technical knockout. After nine technical fouls, two ejections and a whole lot of extracurricular pushing and shoving, the end results were as follows: The biggest postseason win in Heat history, the biggest postseason loss in Chicago Bu... Thu, 09 May 2013 03:07:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2072976-romp-heat-who-top-bulls-115-78.html 2013-05-09T03:07:03Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2072714-knicks-anthony-plans-to-attacking-indiana.html NEW YORK (AP) — Nobody ever really stops Carmelo Anthony. Not in his mind, anyway. Anthony believes he can solve any defense and rarely gives credit when he doesn't. His response after a poor night is always some variation of the same quote: "I just missed shots I normally make." So no matter how he played in New York during the first two games, he was br... Wed, 08 May 2013 22:18:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2072714-knicks-anthony-plans-to-attacking-indiana.html 2013-05-08T22:18:31Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070142-knicks-use-huge-to-series-with-pacers.html NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony's shooting woes vanished as quickly as Indiana's lead. Once the NBA's scoring leader got in a rhythm, not even one of the league's best defenses could knock him out of it. Anthony scored 32 points, 16 during a 30-2 New York onslaught in the second half, and the Knicks beat the Pacers 105-79 on Tuesday night to even the East... Wed, 08 May 2013 07:14:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070142-knicks-use-huge-to-series-with-pacers.html 2013-05-08T07:14:56Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2069792-heat-bulls-game-2-improvements.html MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat have been in this less-than-ideal spot before. They trailed Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, needed to win a pair of elimination games against Boston in the East finals and then dropped Game 1 of the NBA Finals to Oklahoma City. And when it was all said and done, the Heat walked away with the title. ... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:56:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2069792-heat-bulls-game-2-improvements.html 2013-05-07T21:56:45Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067908-bulls-stun-heat-93-86-game-1-eastern-semis.html MIAMI (AP) — Only one team has held the Miami Heat below 90 points on their home floor this season. That would be the Chicago Bulls, and for good measure, they've now done it twice. So by now, it's obvious: If there's a team in the NBA that has Miami's number, it has to be the Bulls. Nate Robinson scored 27 points and dominated in the final minutes — afte... Tue, 07 May 2013 07:41:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067908-bulls-stun-heat-93-86-game-1-eastern-semis.html 2013-05-07T07:41:37Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067500-bulls-steal-game-1-top-heat-93-86.html MIAMI (AP) — Nate Robinson was spitting blood in the first half, then delivered the deepest cuts of the night in the final moments. And the Chicago Bulls reminded the Miami Heat that no one in the NBA plays them any tougher. Yes, the streakbusters struck again. Robinson scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler added 21 points and a career-high-tying 14 rebounds, an... Tue, 07 May 2013 03:21:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067500-bulls-steal-game-1-top-heat-93-86.html 2013-05-07T03:21:19Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2066154-rose-ruling-return-deng-game-1.html MIAMI (AP) — Derrick Rose still has not ruled out a return this season for the Chicago Bulls, saying he could play in their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Miami Heat. The 2011 NBA MVP will not play for Chicago in Game 1 against Miami on Monday night, nor will forward Luol Deng or guard Kirk Hinrich. Deng returned to a hospital for more tests, th... Mon, 06 May 2013 23:22:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2066154-rose-ruling-return-deng-game-1.html 2013-05-06T23:22:16Z