SPORTS

The Indiana Pacers came close to dethroning the Miami Heat in the 2013 postseason after stretching them to full seven games in the East Finals. We’re at that point of the playoffs again and this time the Pacers have an added weapon: homecourt advantage after topping the regular season in the East.

It’s the Indiana Pacers versus the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals as both teams were pegged in the preseason to meet at this stage. After the drama in the Pacers camp and the inconsistencies of the Heat throughout the year, it is Paul George’s squad versus LeBron James’ crew for a slot in the NBA Finals much like last year at this point of the postseason when the Heat defeated the Pacers in seven games.

While waiting for the Dream Match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr to materialise, boxing fans in the meantime can look forward to another anticipated rematch - the Pacquiao-Marquez 5 battle. The stage has been set for the fifth bout between the eight division Filipino title holder and Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez after the latter, also known as El Dinamita, easily won over Mike Alvarado on Saturday night.

Bleacher Report's Game of Thrones spoof with animated NBA players became a hit in just a few hours after its initial posting on Friday evening. Great timing for the day/time of release as well as no NBA game is schedule as the 2014 NBA Playoffs have a long two-day break before the postseason resumes action for the Conference Finals, Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers in the East and the San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the West.

In a big blow to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s chance to win the NBA title, Serge Ibaka was diagnosed with a serious left calf injury that will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled through Game 5 in the 2014 NBA playoffs Tuesday night against the L.A. Clippers. While Tuesday night's game was filled with excitement and controversy, the Internet's creative people made a funny meme of Kevin Durant.

In anticipation of Michael Schumacher’s recovery from coma, BBC Journalist Jennie Gow has collected and compiled all the messages of the racing champion’s fans.

Gina Carano was once rumoured to play the role of iconic superhero character Wonder Woman when she was seen with Henry Cavill at an auto show, who plays the role of Superman in Man of Steel.

David Beckham launched his latest swimwear line campaign for H&M at Shoreditch House in London, England.

After two consecutive draws and and a loss at Celta Vigo last week, Real Madrid have effectively lost their chance at raising the Spanish La Liga trophy this season and a chance at the treble after winning the Copa del Rey. The Spanish giants are still gunning for la decimal or their tenth Champions League title when they go against city rivals Atletico Madrid on May 24. The final weekend will see them soldiering on to securenext season's Champion's League spot and finish third in the leag...

Chelsea hopes to conclude the signing of Diego Costa from Atlético Madrid immediately after the Spanish club's participation in the Champions League final on 24 May. The club has agreed to meet the £31.8m release clause in the striker's contract.

Donald Sterling has denied in recent interviews that he is a racist and sent in half-hearted apology about the whole issue. On Thursday, Sports Illustrated is reporting that the accused bigot may even sue the league and won’t pay $2.5 million fine imposed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver at the height of the controversy.

Once upon a time, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom were a happy couple.

Veteran point guard Derek Fisher has already his next gig ready if he decides to retire from playing basketball: head coach of the New York Knicks.

For leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a successful season and a nice playoff run, head coach Terry Stotts has been given a two-year contract extension by the franchise.

The East’s top seed took care of business in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series against the Wizards Thursday night with a convincing 93-80 win led by David West’s 29 points.

Already in trial for another shooting death, former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez is accused of shooting to death two men—Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado after an encounter in a Boston nightclub in July of 2012. Hernandez is also accused of shooting Odin Lloyd in Hernandez’s home in June of 2013.

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in the run for incoming free-agent Greg Monroe, whose tenure with the Detroit Pistons seemed to have ended with the arrival of head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Advertising has not spared the athletic wear of professional sportsmen and women, but a new trend could generate controversy. It is the fad of placing advertisements right on the breasts of the shirts of female tennis players. Among those seen wearing such not-so-subtle endorsements of brands are Camila Giorgi and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.

With more than 6 months before 2014 ends, another anticipated boxing rematch could possibly happen first - that between Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

Unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr is certainly enjoying the fruits of his fists after a successful but dubious victory over Argentinean boxer Marcos Maidana on May 3. More than a week about the talked-about and controversial bout, Money May was seen on Tuesday with burly bodyguards shopping in New York. He had with him a large bag on his right shoulder, presumably full of money to burn.

Stoke City midfielder Steven N'Zonzi revealed that he would love to remain at the Brittania Stadium next season despite seeing limited minutes in February.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez revealed that the buy-out clause in his contract that was signed in December does not contain any preferential importance to any club.

Maria Sharapova did not have much luck at the beginning of the 2014 tennis season after not being able to reach a finals match in her first five tournaments.

French Montana and Kim Kardashian are now BFFs, at least according to the rapper.

Several news sources have reported that Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal will be appointed as Manchester United boss in the next few days, but the 62-year-old kept mum about the impending move.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere cleared the air with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes after the latter opined that the 22-year-old has not grown as a player since he first burst onto the scene with the Gunners.

Roger Federer is back on tour a week after his wife Mirka gave birth to their second set of twins.

"The Newsroom" actress Olivia Munn is dating NFL hunk Aaron Rodgers, it has been revealed. The pair was reportedly spotted having a dinner in a group of close friends at Nobu Malibu on May 10, usamagazine.com is reporting. The sources present at the posh restaurant told the Web site that Munn and Rodgers behaved like a couple and were even seen exchanging kisses.