Sports

This isn't the first we've heard of the Mavs' reported interest in both Howard and point guard Chris Paul. In fact, Dirk Nowitzki said he's willing to play salesman to the two free-agent stars and is also open to taking a substantial pay cut next summer to make the financials work. Both Howard and Paul would have to leave a year and several million dollars on the table to sign with Dallas, but the lure or playing for a title next to Dirk might be enough to win them over.

He is questionable to return. It's shaping up to be a rough night for Chalmers since he sustained some sort of leg injury in the first half. Norris Cole will handle the majority of the point guard duties, but the Heat have tons of flexibility with LeBron fully capable of running the point.

He got to the basket for a relatively uncontested layup not once, but twice in the last 10 seconds of the game with Roy Hibbert on the bench for each of the last two possessions of overtime. LeBron was a ridiculous 78.3 percent on shots at the rim during the regular season, so Frank Vogel has some explaining to do to leave the middle wide open in the clutch moments of the game. This was the ninth playoff triple-double of LeBron's career and he's come a long way from his naysayers claiming he can't close games. Game 2 will be Friday night, so clear your schedules.

Pena doesn't play much -- Wednesday was just his 14th game of the year -- but when he does, he usually hits. His three-hit game raised his average to .304, and with starting catcher Alex Avila struggling it may mean more at-bats for Pena in the near future.

Frank Vogel sat Hibbert on the last two possessions of the game and he's going to catch a lot of criticism for that call. Both times LeBron got an extremely easy bucket and Indiana's weak-side help was non-existent. Vogel said in the post-game conference that he put a switching lineup in, hoping to force a jump shot for LeBron. Hibbert only finished 10th in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, which looks like an injustice after tonight. Miami might be planning to attack Hibbert more in Game 2 on Friday to get him in foul trouble.

He hit a ridiculous 32-foot jumper with one second left in regulation to send the game to overtime, then hit all three free throws with two second left in overtime. George has already solidified himself as a fantasy superstar, but tonight he made his case as one of the best players from a reality standpoint. He's one of the best rebounding wings, plays terrific defense, has a diverse offensive game and showed he can be clutch.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura finally made the decision official on Wednesday night. Danks posted a 3.18 ERA during his four rehab starts, but he also had a 15/13 K/BB ratio and is still dealing with diminished velocity. Mixed leaguers should stay away for now.