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Heat, Pacers: Game 2 will be even better

For as intense and down-to-the-wire as Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was, the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat shared the same thought on Thursday.

For as intense and down-to-the-wire as Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was, the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat shared the same thought on Thursday.

In their minds, Game 2 will be better.

Sure, Wednesday's 103-102 Heat series-opening win in overtime, with LeBron James scoring the game-winner on a layup as time expired, was great theater. But the teams combined for 41 turnovers, and play was at times choppy, thanks in part to 58 personal fouls called in the game's 53 minutes.

Heat center Chris Bosh says the Heat will "play a lot better" in Game 2. As for the Pacers, they say they're moving on from the questionable decision to not have Roy Hibbert on the floor to defend the rim on the final play of Game 1.

James tops all-NBA

LeBron James was a unanimous pick for the all-NBA team and Kobe Bryant earned his record-tying 11th first-team selection.

James received all 119 votes for the first team from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Joining the league's MVP and Bryant on the first team were Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, San Antonio center Tim Duncan and Clippers guard Chris Paul.

No 76er received votes in the balloting.

Hollins stays focused

Lionel Hollins has been more successful than any Grizzlies coach and will be a free agent after June 30.

He has the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals for the first time and has won more games with this team than any other coach.

But new owners, who took over in November, decided to wait and see what they had before extending contracts. That has made Hollins a candidate for other openings.

Marc Gasol said that Hollins' focus has been on the playoffs, not contract talks.

Memphis needs Hollins' full attention right now as the Grizzlies, trailing two games to none, host San Antonio on Saturday.

- Associated Press