Lance Stephenson was having the game of his young NBA career in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami.
Anything seemed possible to the 22-year-old guard, which probably explains why he spent half the night begging coaches to let him guard Heat star and reigning league MVP LeBron James
The Indianapolis Star reports Stephenson did just that, directly going to coach Frank Vogel and begging for the assignment after Paul George found himself in foul trouble.
“He asked to guard him,” Vogel told The Star. “He’s a competitor. We know Paul is getting worn out a little bit guarding LeBron the whole game that he’s in there. Lance said, ‘Let me share some of the load.’ He wants to rise to the challenge.”
Those who know Stephenson best were hardly surprised the brash, Brooklyn-born baller would so put himself on the line. “I told Lance when he’s that aggressive and he’s pushing it and looking to score, we’re a better team,” star guard George Hill told The Star. “We need him to continue to do that for us to win this series, and he knows that.”
Stephenson finished with 20 points, and perhaps the night’s biggest shot, a fall-away, corner three to end the third quarter and give the Pacers a 77-70 cushion.
“He shoots those crazy, falling-down shots all the time after practice,” Hill told The Star. “I’m just glad he made it.”
The series is now tied at 2-2 heading back to Miami for Game 5 Thursday night.
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