The Indiana Pacers earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and theyll begin their crusade for an NBA title Saturday night when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Catch the game on TSN2 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Pacers held the No. 1 spot in the East for much of the regular season, but the end of the campaign didnt go as planned. Indiana went 10-13 to finish the season, but got the top seed when the Miami Heat rested some starters late in the campaign. "I was excited that we got it. It was something we set out for," head coach Frank Vogel said prior to their season-finale. "It gives us the best chances going into the playoffs." The Pacers lost in seven games to the Heat in last years Eastern Conference Finals. They finished second in the NBA in opponents scoring and first in opponents field-goal percentage. They also finished with the best home record at 35-6. But the Pacers will need to improve significantly if they are going to advance in the postseason. All-Stars Paul George and Roy Hibbert both regressed as did Lance Stephenson. But the team is built on defense and have had time to try and cure whats ailing them. "This is the best time of the year," said Stephenson. "Every game is on TV and every game is about business. Theres no joking around. Everybody is watching." The Hawks are in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season and needed both late-season heroics and a collapse by the New York Knicks to punch a ticket. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Hawks managed to tread water in an otherwise dreadful Eastern Conference and hope to move past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. The Hawks have been bounced in six games in each of the last two conference quarterfinals. They lost six in a row in late March and started to feel the heat. However, the Hawks won six of the next eight games to get back on track and a 98-85 win over the Heat on April 12 sealed the eighth spot. "Im happy for all the guys," Hawks guard Jeff Teague said. "We worked so hard all year. Injuries and everything that can happen to a team happened. We were able to still make it to the playoffs." The Hawks dealt with a major loss early on when All-Star center Al Horford went down with a right pectoral injury. But Teague and Paul Millsap picked up the slack and got Atlanta the eighth seed. Teague averaged 16.5 ppg and 6.7 apg and Vogel indicated that he was the key to stopping the Hawks. "The whole defensive game plan is keeping (Teague) out of the paint; its the toughest challenge were going to have," acknowledged Vogel. Indiana and Atlanta met in the 2012-13 playoffs and the Pacers disposed of the Hawks in six games. The Pacers and the Hawks will face each other in the postseason for a sixth time and the two sides split four regular-season meetings this season. The Hawks trounced the Pacers in Indiana on April 6, but Indiana is 10-5 in its last 15 as the host in this series. Atlanta has won 14 of its last 16 against the Pacers at Philips Arena. Emilio Pagan Rays Jersey . LeBron James believes hes a major reason for their early failures. Brendan McKay Jersey . LOUIS -- David Ross never expected to be on a World Series podium. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/1796i-pe...ersey-rays.html. Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Avisail Garcia Rays Jersey . There is no argument that the line of Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Thomas Vanek was one of the hottest in the NHL leading into the post-season, and they did combine for three goals and seven points, but it was the depth of all four lines that helped propel Montreal. Travis dArnaud Rays Jersey . Its the second time this season that Milan has been sanctioned by the league judge, after fans also subjected Napoli supporters to discriminatory chants. The ban will come into effect for Milans next match, against Udinese on Oct.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Jonathan Martins early weeks with his new San Francisco 49ers teammates have been spent recovering from mononucleosis and regaining strength zapped by the viral infection. Because he was contagious, Martin initially had to isolate himself for part of this month while sick. That has limited his on-field time during the teams off-season program, and he didnt practice during the voluntary organized team activity Wednesday. "I was working out here for a couple of weeks before I got sick," Martin said. "I was here from the beginning. It was important for me to be with the team and start the program. Its been fun to be around the guys and get to know everybody and learn the offence. Its been great. My teammates are great. The coach is great. So Im excited to get back at it. It kind of stunk to have mono." Martin was traded from the Dolphins to the Niners in mid-March, providing him with a new start after his departure from Miami last October. He accused teammate Richie Incognito of bullying in a scandal that overshadowed the franchises 8-8 season. Martin is aware of Incognitos apologetic posts directed to him on Twitter from March following the veteran offensive linemans earlier rant and harsh comments about Martin. Martin said again Wednesday he is thrilled to be "moving forward" and he hasnt given the situation with Incognito "a second thought." An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of Martin. Incognito was then suspended and missed the final eight games. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he hopes a Miami investigation from April that names him will soon be over. Earlier this month, Miami Police released two calls to a 911 dispatcher saying a woman identifying herself as Jesus was lying naked in a bed and refusing to leave. The callers said the woman wanted to spend time with a third man who wasnt there. Police say the players also involved in the case are 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton and Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette. None of them has been charged with any wrongdoing. "Well, the district attorney has the information today," Kaepernick said. "At this point, Im going to let them handle their business. I did nothing wrong in that incident. So, I want to do everything I can to let the DA close this matter. Im very eager to have the matter closed." Coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated Wedneesday he would like the 49ers to re-sign Kaepernick before the season starts, while also acknowledging reaching agreements on long-term commitments can be complicated.dddddddddddd Kaepernick, who took over as the starter in November 2012 from departed 2005 No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, would enter the final season of his original rookie deal. "Again, Im hopeful. Im a big proponent of Colin Kaepernick, his abilities. On record as stating that I would like to see that happen. Its a process. I know youve heard me use that word before in many other ways. But, that is not like some of the other examples. Theres a process in place. And itll play out." Kaepernick wouldnt say what he thought would be a "fair" contract, a word he has used regarding his future with the franchise. "Im letting my agents handle all of that and Im worried about being out here trying to get better with my teammates and get ready for the season," Kaepernick said. "Im playing football regardless." And he is thrilled to get to work with his deep receiving corps featuring Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd, who hardly looks as if he just spent a year out of football. Lloyd signed to a one-year contract last month to rejoin the team that drafted him the fourth round in 2003. He caught 105 passes for 1,510 yards and 13 touchdowns for San Francisco from 2003-05. That included leading the team with 48 receptions, 733 yards receiving and five TD catches in 2005. Lloyd has also played for the Washington Redskins (2006-07), Chicago Bears (2008), Denver Broncos (2009-11), St. Louis Rams (2011) and New England Patriots (2012) during his career. "I had seen plays he had made. But, I hadnt seen him on a consistent basis," Kaepernick said. "Coming off of a year off from football, hes been amazing out here. Very smooth, very disciplined with his routes and an easy target to throw to." NOTES: New WR Stevie Johnson sat out Wednesday because "he had a little something hes working through," Harbaugh said without elaborating. ... Whether RG Alex Boone is absent because of his frustration with an unsettled contract situation, Harbaugh wouldnt say. "Ive always chosen, as a policy, not to discuss contracts publicly," he said. ... Also absent: TE Vernon Davis and RB Frank Gore, who has been a regular working out at team headquarters "The workouts are voluntary," Harbaugh said. ' ' '