INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers couldnt keep waiting around for Lance Stephenson to make up his mind. Tyler Johnson Jersey . So on Friday, they went to work. The two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups announced they had signed three free agents -- backup big man Lavoy Allen, swingman C.J. Miles and Damjan Rudez, a sharp-shooting forward from Europe. Coach Frank Vogel hopes all that is just a precursor to re-signing Stephenson, who led the NBA with five triple-doubles last season. "Its a process. The ball is in his court," Vogel said. "Its a waiting game until we see how some of the other dominoes fall." Indiana has offered Stephenson a five-year deal worth $44 million, but the shooting guard believed that he could land a more lucrative deal when some of the biggest names available in free agency -- LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- decided where to play. James decision to return to Cleveland may finally break the free-agent logjam, and give Stephenson more leverage to get a bigger contract. While Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and Vogel have made it clear they would like Stephenson back, they also realize that the Pacers must find more scoring punch -- with or without Stephenson -- after the Heat eliminated Indiana in the playoffs each of the past three years. James will now be with Central Division rival Cleveland, too. Bird, who is trying to stay under the luxury tax, got creative. By signing Miles to a four-year deal worth $18 million, the Pacers get a 6-foot-6, 210-pound experienced swingman. He averaged 10.6 points and 2.4 rebounds over the past two seasons in Cleveland and made quite an impression on Vogel during one big-time shooting performance during the 2013-14 season. "After that happened, he (Vogel) stopped by and we were chatting and he said everybody is going to become C.J. whoever was on that team. C.J. Smith or C.J. Johnson or whoever," Miles said, laughing. "He told me that was pretty much the way it was the rest of that season (at practice)." Getting Miles also gives the Pacers a potential Plan B if Stephenson leaves. "Hopefully, Lance returns, but C.J. has proven he can start if he doesnt," Vogel said. Rudez thought he was going to get drafted six years ago after working out for several NBA teams. When his name wasnt called, the 6-10, 200-pound forward returned to Europe to improve his shooting skills. Over the past two seasons, the Croatian played well enough in Spain to draw attention from the Cavaliers and the Pacers. Bird called Rudez "one of the best shooters in Europe" after signing him to a three-year deal. Even Rudez knew the Pacers were looking for shooters. "Id heard that and thats reason they came after me," he said. "Im hoping my transition goes pretty quickly." Indiana acquired Allen in a trade deadline deal with Philadelphia in February, but the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward played sparingly after the move. The Pacers brought Allen back for the league minimum, shoring up their inside game with another strong defender. That leaves just one big question for the Pacers: Will Stephenson be back to help last seasons No. 1 seed in the East complete the push to the NBA Finals? "He knows we want him very, very badly," Vogel said. "Hopefully, well find a way to get it done." Martin St. Louis Jersey .com) - Longtime Senators star Daniel Alfredsson returned to Ottawa on Thursday to officially announce his retirement. Dan Girardi Jersey . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace. http://www.cheaplightningjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-ondrej-palat-jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a course-record 10-under 62 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament.BROOKLYN - The Toronto Raptors will try to capture their first best-of-seven series in franchise history and advance into the second round of the 2013-14 NBA Playoffs this evening when they face the Brooklyn Nets in Game 6 at Barclays Center. You can watch live coverage now on TSN, TSN GO and TSN Radio 1050. Also, TSN.ca will feature live streaming of the fan festivities at Maple Leaf Square and the post-game news conferences. The only time the Raptors advanced in the postseason came in 2001 when they defeated the New York Knicks, 3-2. They fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals that year, but since have failed to get out of the first round the three other times they made the playoffs. "I think we understand the intensity, weve learned that," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said after practice on Thursday. "Its hard in this league because so much is on the line. Were a young team. Its a positive for these guys to go through this." The Raptors took the series lead with a 115-113 home win on Wednesday. Any win is important, but Toronto watched a 26-point lead evaporate before finally securing the victory. "We did everything wrong you could think of in the fourth quarter," Casey said. "This was a learning experience." The Nets appeared ready to pack it in as they began the fourth quarter in a 91-69 hole and had Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett watching from the bench. Somehow, the combination of Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and an unproven bench totaled 44 points over the final 12 minutes to make things veryy interesting. Jake Dotchin Jersey. Mirza Teletovic opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play on the ensuing possession to jump-start a 19-3 run that trimmed the Nets deficit to 97-91. Johnson knocked down an open 3-pointer with 3:19 left to pull even at 101-101, and it was knotted at 106-106 prior to a huge 3-pointer from Torontos Kyle Lowry. Two DeMar DeRozan free throws stretched the margin to 113-108, though Alan Andersons second four-point play of the quarter gave the Nets hope inside 10 seconds to play. After DeRozan sank two clutch free throws for a three-point game, the Raptors fouled Andray Blatche, who made his first free throw and grabbed his own rebound after intentionally missing the second. Blatches pass back to the top of the key, however, went over Williams head and into the backcourt for a violation, and the Raptors barely hung on for the win. "Hopefully, this put us on high alert," said Casey. Lowry led the way with 36 points behind six 3-pointers, including the gigantic go-ahead one with 1:04 remaining. DeRozan added 23 points and Jonas Valanciunas chipped in with 16 for Toronto, Johnson paced Brooklyn with 30 points, Teletovic added 17 off the bench while Williams and Anderson each netted 13 in the setback. "The guys fought," Nets head coach Jason Kidd said. "They put us in a position to win on the road, but we didnt do the little things." If the Nets can force Game 7, it will be on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre. If Toronto prevails on Friday, the Raptors will meet the Miami Heat in the second round. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '