INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana spent the entire season perfecting its defence. On Saturday, it produced the biggest payoff for the Pacers in nearly a decade. Roy Hibberts block of Carmelo Anthonys 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 them into their first Eastern Conference final since 2004. New York native Lance Stephenson scored nine points in the run, finishing with a playoff career-high 25. "Thats why they pay me the big bucks this summer, so I have to protect the paint," said Hibbert, who signed a $58 million contract last summer. "If all else fails, meaning the offence, I have to protect the paint." With players from both teams standing on the court as the final seconds ticked off and Pacers fans roaring in appreciation, the sellout crowd wasted little time breaking into chants of "Beat The Heat!" For Indiana, it sets up a post-season rematch with the defending NBA champs, the team that eliminated them last May after the Pacers had taken a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinals. The Heat wound up winning Game 4 at Indiana and followed that with two more wins as Danny Granger struggled with a knee injury. Indiana used the lessons from that series as motivation to improve this season and wound up beating the Heat twice at home before losing the third game of the season series at Miami. The Pacers will return to South Florida for Game 1 on Wednesday night. With Granger missing all but five games this season because of the lingering knee injury, the Pacers put an even greater emphasis on playing defence and it showed. Indiana led the league in rebounding, defensive field goal percentage and defensive 3-point percentage while finishing second in points allowed per game during the regular season. It was no different in the playoffs, as the Knicks found out. New York had another subpar shooting night Saturday, making just 40 per cent of its shots, and again wound up on the wrong side of a 43-36 rebounding discrepancy. In the paint, New York was outscored 52-20, and Anthony, who finished with 39 points, scored just four points in the final 12 minutes when he went 2 of 7 from the field. Iman Shumpert added 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and J.R. Smith scored 15. Nobody else was in double figures. The combination, as it had been in the previous three losses to Indiana, produced the same frustrating result. "They have a hell of a defence. They hold down the paint. They do a great job, do a hell of a job of controlling the paint, closing it down, making it tough for guys," Anthony said. "Youve got to give them guys credit, especially when they got a chance to set. Roy Hibbert gets to sit in the paint, causes havoc." Its not just that. The biggest question coming into Saturdays game was whether starting point guard George Hill would play. He took part in the teams morning shootaround, was cleared by the team doctors and wound up returning two days after missing Game 5 with a concussion. His return gave the Pacers a big boost. Hill finished with just 12 points on 2-of-10 shooting but had five rebounds and four assists, and kept the Pacers composed enough to commit only nine turnovers -- 10 fewer than Thursday nights loss in New York. The results showed up everywhere on the floor. Paul George had 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. David West added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Hibbert finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, none bigger than the stuff on Anthony that changed the game. Stephenson had 10 rebounds and three assists in his best post-season game ever. The reason: He wanted to avoid a trip home. "I just didnt want to go back to New York and play Game 7," Stephenson said. "Just get it done with now and Id do whatever it takes to do that today. It showed tonight." The New York native made sure of it. After George grabbed the rebound off of Hibberts block, Stephenson took a pass from West and scored on a layup to tie the score at 92 with 4:51 left in the game. Stephenson followed that with a steal and drove in for a layup, drawing a foul and completing a three-point play. After grabbing another rebound and making two more free throws, West tipped in a miss and Stephenson closed the decisive spurt with another layup. Suddenly, the Pacers led 101-94 with 1:53 to go. New York never got another chance to tie the score or take the lead again despite making a far more typical 13 of 30 from 3-point range. "Its tough to go out this way," coach Mike Woodson said. "I didnt make it happen for us and thats whats disappointing." The Pacers have a far different goal now as they get ready to face LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Miami. "Were not satisfied with where were at," coach Frank Vogel said. "We feel like theres no ceiling on this team this year." Notes: New York failed to become the ninth team to rally from a 3-1 deficit. ... Indianapolis 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter made the short trip from the track to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where he is a regular attendee. ... Colts coach Chuck Pagano also attended the game. ... The Knicks were 18 of 18 from the free throw line. Justin Bour Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. J. C. Ramirez Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/cam-bedrosian-angels-jersey/ . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Zack Cozart Angels Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brian Goodwin Angels Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. PARIS -- Striker Mario Balotelli was rested to protect a sore hip and his replacement Alassane Plea scored the winner as Nice beat struggling Nancy 1-0 Sunday to stay top of the French league.Keeping Thursdays Europa League match at Russian side Krasnodar in mind, Nice coach Lucien Favre thought it best to leave out Balotelli and put other regulars on the bench.Marios hip was hurting so it was too risky ... Well see for Thursday, Favre said. We have a long trip to Krasnodar and the Europa League will take its toll for sure.Balotelli has made a strong start to his career in France, scoring four goals in two league games -- two on his debut against Marseille and two well-taken goals in a 4-0 midweek win against Monaco.Favre has spoken of how the Italian forward, who is reviving his career in France after a failed stint in England with Liverpool and a dismal loan spell at AC Milan, still needs to regain full fitness.This time, Balotelli was not needed as Plea -- who scored when replacing Balotelli against Monaco on Wednesday night -- poked the ball in after midfielder Valentin Eysseric had clipped a pass over the defense.Nancys fans were again left feeling disappointed after a fourth defeat in seven matches, with the promoted club in 19th place.Nice is one point clear of French Riviera rival Monaco after seven games, three in front of Toulouse and four ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.Its magnificent to have 17 points after seven games, Favre said. But its the matches coming up that count.PSG lost 2-0 at Toulouse on Friday.---MARSEILLE 2, NANTES 1It was third time lucky for captain Bafetimbi Gomis, who struck Marseilles winner from the penalty spot after having missed two clear chances.After defender Enock Kwateng tripped him, Gomis slammed his spot kick straight down the middle in the 53rd minute.Florian (Thauvin) told me he wanted to take it, the 31-year-old Gomis saiid.dddddddddddd But with all my experience, it was my responsibility.Marseilles past two defeats were by 3-2 scores, with Marseille leading 2-1 both times.This time Marseille rallied from 1-0 down to secure a much-needed victory.Nantes pressured heavily at the end, with midfielder Guillaume Gillet striking the crossbar.Earlier, Marseilles defense panicked on a third-minute corner as Polish striker Mariusz Stepinskis header was bundled into the net by forward partner Emiliano Sala.Clinton NJies first goal since joining on loan from English side Tottenham drew Marseille level in the 23rd, and it was a fine finish from 20 meters after Gomis instinctive flick sent him through.Moments later, Gomis curled wide from close range after shrugging off two defenders.I was too greedy on that chance, Gomis said. I wanted to put it far out of the goalies reach.Just after the restart, he was way wide with a spectacular diving header from a corner.Still, with five league goals in seven games since joining from Premier League side Swansea, Gomis is making his mark.---SAINT-ETIENNE 3, LILLE 1At 0-0 the match was going reasonably well for last-place Lille until defender Franck Beria wafted his hand in the air to block a pass over midfield.It was careless and costly, earning Beria a second yellow card. After his sending off in the 43rd minute, 10-man Lille conceded three second-half goals.No wonder under-pressure coach Frederic Antonetti shook his head in annoyance as Beria -- a veteran playing in his 10th season for Lille -- trudged off.Slovenia striker Robert Beric scored his third goal in four games, 18-year-old midfielder Arnaud Nordin got his first career goal and forward Nolan Roux added the third for seventh-place Lille.Veteran defender Renato Civelli got Lilles goal. ' ' '