Indiana Pacers

Ric Flair has a message for all you Cavs fans fretting over that Game 1 beatdown the Pacers put on you ... CHILLLLLLL ... 'cause Nature Boy says LeBron James and the Cavs will win on Wednesday.

As long as LBJ goes for 40.

We got Ric -- a huge Cavs fan and the man LeBron credits with keeping him off the street as a kid -- out in NYC ... and asked if Cleveland is in trouble after the Pacers took it to them in Game 1.

"LeBron, you gotta do 40 tomorrow night, man."

Indiana Pacer Jordan Hill had the nerve to ask cops if they HAD to arrest him ... after they busted him doing 107 mph -- and the exchange was all caught on dash cam video.

TMZ Sports got the full video, including the audio, which reveals Hill's hysterical attempt to get some leniency. As we previously reported, he got arrested last week in Georgia, and after cops pulled him out of his Range Rover -- shirtless, for some reason -- he tried to turn on the charm.

Watch the clip -- the police officer said, "What's your story, man? Just driving like an idiot?" Hill actually mutters an excuse which clearly did NOT sway the officer ... who quickly put him in cuffs.

Indiana Pacers player Jordan Hill was arrested in Atlanta this week after cops say he was burning rubber at 107 miles per hour ... without a shirt.

Several people called 911 to report the vehicle on Tuesday -- and cops eventually caught up to the former Lakers player, who was driving a Range Rover.

Dash cam footage shows cops putting a shirtless Hill in cuffs and placing him in the back of a cop car.

He was booked for speeding and reckless driving.

Pacers president Larry Bird issued a statement saying, "We have been informed Jordan was arrested for allegedly reckless driving in Atlanta, Georgia.'

Ya can't play basketball forever ... and Roy Hibbert knows it ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to work in Hollywood after his NBA career -- and says his dream job would be to appear on "Tosh.0."

The Indiana Pacers star has already gotten his feet wet -- appearing on a few episodes of "Parks and Recreation" over the years.

But now, Hibbert says he's moving to L.A. for the summer -- and might take some voice acting classes to help him better his chances of getting a V/O job when he hangs up his sneakers.

As for "Tosh.0" ... Hibbert says he'd be open to doing ANYTHING to appear on the show with Daniel Tosh (one of his favorite comedians) ... if Tosh is into the idea.

Indiana Pacers player Chris Copeland is reportedly being treated in the ICU of an NYC hospital -- after doctors determined his stab wounds included damage to his diaphragm.

Copeland was attacked after leaving 1Oak nightclub early Wednesday morning -- now multiple media outlets are reporting that doctors expect Chris to be in the ICU for 2 or 3 days.

According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, doctors are also concerned about the wound to Copeland's elbow -- and wanted to "clear the wound" because it might be susceptible to infection.

As we previously reported, the suspect in the stabbing -- a 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary -- was taken into custody following the attack.

The Indiana Pacers are rallying around their injured player Chris Copeland ... with teammate Luis Scola telling TMZ Sports they're gonna try to get a "W" to honor him tonight.

The Pacers are in NYC to take on the NY Knicks at Madison Square Garden -- and before Scola hit the arena, he hit Starbucks for a quick pick-me-up ... where we asked about Copeland.

Scola says he hasn't spoken with Chris since he was stabbed outside a nightclub around 4AM -- but says the team is definitely thinking about him.

Two Atlanta Hawks basketball players claim allegations they got in the way of a police investigation at the scene of an NYC stabbing are UNTRUE ... and they vow to fight the charges in court.

As we previously reported, Thabo Sefolosha and Pero Antic were arrested near 1Oak nightclub after Indiana Pacers player Chris Copeland was stabbed in an early morning attack.

Cops say Pero and Thabo obstructed police from investigating the crime scene -- and were acting disorderly when asked to get out of the way. Cops also say Thabo resisted arrest and it took several officers to take him into custody.

But now, the players have issued a joint statement calling BS on the NYPD ... saying, "We will contest these charges and look forward to communicating the facts of the situation at the appropriate time."

They continued, "As members of the Atlanta Hawks, we hold ourselves to a high standard and take our roles as professionals very seriously."

An Indiana Pacers player and his girlfriend were stabbed -- and two ATL Hawks players were arrested for obstructing police -- in a violent incident outside of an NYC nightclub early Wednesday morning ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The stabbing victim is Pacers forward Chris Copeland ... who was stabbed in the stomach around 4 AM after leaving 1Oak nightclub. His girlfriend was slashed in the arm, breast and butt.

Officials says the injuries sustained by both Chris and his girlfriend are NOT life threatening. However, Copeland reportedly suffered a broken elbow in the attack and is undergoing surgery.

Cops say they arrested the person suspected of the stabbing -- 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary. Cops say Bleary used a switchblade in the attack.

Police say Copeland and his girlfriend were having a conversation when Bleary (who didn't know either of them) interjected ... and a fight ensued.

Two Atlanta Hawks players -- Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha -- were arrested at the scene for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene.

Outside the club, Chris' GF told the media, "We were attacked out of nowhere by a f*cking black civilian."

She continued, "We have nothing to say. We are scared for our lives."

Copeland's teammate Paul George just tweeted about the incident -- saying, "Pray for my brother Chris."

9:40 AM PT -- Antic and Sefolosha left the 10th precinct Wednesday afternoon and are headed to court for their arraignment.

12:30 PM PT -- The two Hawks players were just in court briefly. Each was charged with resisting arrest and Obstructing Government Administration. They were released on their own recognizance and are due back in court on June 16.

12:50 PM PT -- According to the criminal complaint, Antic and Sefolosha were told six times to clear the scene, but would only "move a couple of feet away but refuse to clear the area."

When it came time to arrest Sefolosha, police say he flailed his arms, twisted his body and kicked his legs. It took four people, according to the complaint, to get him into cuffs.

12:12 PM PT -- A spokesman for the stadium insists the heater is NOT broken ... and says there's a perfectly good explanation.

"There is NO broken heater – but we opened the garage to let buses and allow a few packages to be delivered to the stadium – and that allowed the freezing air to come into the stadium."

"It was like opening the back door and letting the record temps into the building."

"The heater isn't broken -- and fans can expect it to stay that way ... and should be able to enjoy the game with no problem."

It's 14 degrees in Philadelphia ... and it seems like the heater has broken inside the Wells Fargo Center -- so the visiting Indiana Pacers are warming up in full sweats and winter gear.

Unclear when the heater crapped out ... but multiple team sources tell us the same thing -- "It's f**king freezing in here."

One player tells TMZ Sports, "It's like we are outside playing ball ... this ain't cool."

Pacers' star Paul George is at the stadium ... and tweeted, "Crazy my guys have to practice under these conditions in philly! #CutThatHeatOnDamnIt."

The game is scheduled to begin in less than 6 hours ... and as far as we know, the game is scheduled to go on as planned.

NBA star Roy Hibbert possesses a specific set of skills -- beyond hooping, that is -- and pretty soon he might be unbeatable ... as long as he keeps playing in Indiana.

The Pacers stud was outside Craig's in West Hollywood when we asked ... what's a city kid like himself do for fun in the heartland? Roy doesn't hesitate -- telling us there's not much to do except get super sharp at a particular video game. As he puts it ... his game is "pretty nice!"

Roy also gets a little nostalgic in this clip about his ex-teammate Lance Stephenson -- who bolted for the Hornets.

Paul George has a new lady in his life ... his 5-month-old daughter Olivia ... who he met for the first time Thursday -- and now TMZ Sports has learned the NBA star is gunning for joint custody of the child.

As we previously reported, George swore that he would "do the right thing" if a paternity test proved he fathered a child with a woman named "Daniella" who he had a relationship with in 2013.

Now, we've learned George is convinced he IS the daddy ... and his attorney is currently in the process of hammering out a joint custody arrangement with the mom.

Paul's attorney tells TMZ Sports ... "Paul has always wanted to accept responsibility and play a role in his daughter’s life -- and wanted to make sure it was handled properly through the legal system."

Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George is one step closer to JUSTICE -- after cops say they busted the man who BURGLARIZED his home back in April, taking $15k worth of important stuff.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan PD arrested 43-year-old Michael Lewis -- and claim they were led to the suspect through evidence recovered at the scene of the crime.

As we previously reported, George claimed someone broke into his home on April 28 and stole his platinum All-Star ring, a pair of Air Jordan 4 'Toro' shoes and more.

Cops say they do NOT believe George was specifically targeted -- "detectives believe it was a random act."

10:47 AM PT -- Larry Bird (President of the Pacers) just ripped George over the comments ... saying, "Paul George's tweets from earlier were thoughtless and without regard to the subject of domestic violence and its seriousness in society."

Paul George's leg must be okay ... 'cause he's backpedaling HARD after tweeting out some STUPID comments about the Ray Rice situation.

The Indiana Pacers star came under fire IMMEDIATELY after writing, "I don't condone hittin women or think it's coo BUT if SHE ain't trippin then I ain't trippin.. Lets keep it movin lol let that man play!"

Stupid.

Then it got worse ... with George writing, "If you in a relationship and a woman hit you first and attacking YOU.. Then you obviously ain't beatin HER. Homie made A bad choice! #StayUp"

Were you even watching the same tape?? It wasn't exactly self defense, dude.

Didn't take long for George to realize he screwed up -- and less than an hour later, tweeted, "Let me apologize to the women and to the VICTIMS of domestic violence people my intent was not to downplay the situation."

Lance Stephenson had a helluva Tuesday night ... 'cause hours after he became a dad again, the NBA star was celebrating at an NYC nightclub ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Stephenson's baby mama Feby Torres announced the birth of Lance Jr. on March 18th -- the same night the Indiana Pacers star was scheduled to appear at Greenhouse NYC.

Well, Lance isn't one to bail on a commitment ... and sources at the club tell us he rolled in late Tuesday night -- and popped Bottega Rose champagne and sipped on D'Ussé cognac with some of his pals from the Pacers.

But after he put in his time at the club, we're told Lance returned to the hospital to be with his family.

And if that wasn't enough ... Lance also played in a game the next night and CRUSHED IT -- leading the team in scoring and rebounds.

Indiana Pacers superstar Paul George tells TMZ Sports ... he never EVER offered to pay a woman $1 million to abort her unborn child -- but if the kid is his, he's ready and willing to do the right thing.

We're told ... back in 2013, George had a relationship with a woman from Miami named "Daniela" -- a woman who is currently pregnant. The releationship went through the end of the summer ... but in November, Daniela informed George she was pregnant and she believes he is the father.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, George says ... "If and when there is legal confirmation that I am the father, I will fully embrace my responsibilities. This is a personal matter that is still being sorted out, so I hope you can respect my privacy. "

There are rumors that George offered the woman $1 mil to abort the baby -- but George's camp is adamant that's total B.S.

A spokesman tells us, "There is no truth to the rumors that Paul offered money for [Daniela] not to have the child."

Ex-Pacers stud Austin Croshere just pledged his support for Andew Bynum ... telling TMZ Sports, Indiana's head coach Frank Vogel will REVIVE the fallen superstar's career.

The former 1st round pick -- and current Pacers analyst -- was in Malibu ... when he told us there's no doubt the struggling 7-footer will turn things around with Vogel's help.

The former All-Star center signed with the Pacers earlier this week ... after bouncing around the league amidst rumors he had lost his interest in basketball.

But Croshere says the Pacers 40-year-old coach Vogel will succeed in getting through to Bynum ... where veteran guys like Mike Brown and Tom Thibodeau failed.