Associated Press
The NBA notebook …
DALLAS ó Dallas guard J.J. Barea says he doesnít hold any animosity toward Lakers center Andrew Bynum after their ugly collision.
Bynum elbowed Barea in the chest while the guard was in the air for a layup in Game 4 of their playoff series. He hit the floor hard, Bynum was ejected and on Tuesday was suspended for the first five games of next season.
Barea says he has a bruise on his ribs and another on his left hand. He said Wednesday that he received an apologetic message from Bynum that he considers sincere. He didnít return the call because he didnít think it was necessary.
Barea said: ěHe just had a big mistake. People have those sometimes. He lost his mind and he fouled me pretty hard. I know he regrets it.î
The Mavericks swept the two-time defending champion Lakers.
HAWKS CONFIDENT
ATLANTA ó For a team that knows its season could be one-and-done, the Atlanta Hawks are still feeling quite confident about their chances in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
This mantra: Just take it to Game 7.
“If we get this win,” guard Jeff Teague said, referring to tonight’s game, “I think there’s a good chance we’ll get Game 7. I feel like there would be a lot of pressure on them playing at home in Game 7. I think we could come in there a little more free, just come in and play our game. It would be interesting.”
Of course, there’s that little matter to take care of in Atlanta.
Game 6, with no room for error.
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
INDIANAPOLIS ó Indiana Pacers guard Paul George was named to the All-Rookie second-team on Wednesday.
George started the last 19 games of the regular season and all five playoffs games. He averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds during the regular season.
George, who played his college ball at Fresno State, was the 10th overall pick. Pacers fans initially were lukewarm to his selection because local hero Gordon Hayward of Butler went ninth to the Utah Jazz.
First team selections by the coaches were Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, John Wall of Washington, New York’s Landry Fields, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and San Antonio’s Gary Neal.
Detroit’s Greg Monroe, Minnesota’s Wesley Johnson, Utah’s Derrick Favors and the Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe joined George on the second team.