HoopsHype.com Rumors

NBA star Lance Stephenson isn't going to the Finals ... or to Disneyland -- but it's ok, because he did get to see a roomful of naked chicks at a famous Miami strip club ... TMZ has learned. Just hours after Lance and the Indiana Pacers lost game 7 to the Miami Heat Monday ... the shooting guard eased his pain at King of Diamonds -- the gentleman's club where Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Rihanna frequently make it rain. Lance on the other hand ... made it sprinkle. Our KOD sources say the 22-year-old stood in the corner most of the night, only got 2 lap dances, and dropped a grand total of about $1100. TMZ.com

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

But the majority of the talk Wednesday was on Danny Granger, the former All-Star who missed all but five games this season with a knee injury. Following the Game 7 loss, Granger said he expected to be back in the starting line-up at the start of next season. Vogel was asked if he saw things the same way. “Probably,” he said. “We gotta see how he returns. My anticipation is that he’s going to have a full recovery. I told him if he returns to full health and the ability that he’s exhibited throughout his career, then he’ll be the starter.” Vogel added that he also challenged Lance Stephenson, who in Granger’s stead had a breakout year, to “not let that happen.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson 

It was a little more than a year ago that LeBron James was asked about Lance Stephenson after the Pacers guard held up the choke sign following James’ missed free throw. James’ response at the time: “Lance Stephenson? You guys want a quote about Lance Stephenson? I’m not going to give him the time.” James gave Stephenson plenty of time – and some encouraging words – at the end of the game Monday. “He said I played hard this season and he’s happy with my progress,” Stephenson said told The Star. “He said I helped changed the Pacers organization, made us stronger and that he respects my game.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Lance Stephenson 

The league announced Thursday that Indiana's Lance Stephenson and David West as well as the Heat's LeBron James each have been fined $5,000 for flopping during Tuesday's 99-92 Pacers victory that tied the Eastern Conference finals at 2-2. In addition, West has been assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for a hard hit on Heat guard Dwyane Wade that was called a common foul during Tuesday's game. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Lance Stephenson, David West 

Chris Tomasson: Frank Vogel said that Lance Stephenson is a barometer for the team. When he's good, Pacers good. When he's bad, Pacers struggle Twitter @christomasson

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

To make sure Game 4 wasn't a repeat of that, Stephenson turned to tape, watching plenty. He listened to his teammates, too, who rode him hard these past two days, willing him to return to his best form. "After the Game 3, we were in his ear," Pacers forward David West said. "Yesterday, we were all over him. This morning, we were all over him. Before the game, we were all over him. The bottom line is: We've been able to get to this point because everybody on this team has done his job and done it well. He's been a key part of that. "For us to continue to play, he's got to play well for us. He's got to be aggressive. He's got to be engaged every single play. He knows that. That's what we expect from him." USA Today Sports

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, David West 

Royce Young: Paul George on Wade's elbow: "For what he did to Lance, it's well deserved whatever the punishment is." Twitter @dailythunder

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Paul George, Lance Stephenson 

Joseph Goodman: Lance Stephenson says the forearm by Wade was surprising and took him off guard but wouldn't say it was dirty. Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Lance Stephenson 

Chris Tomasson: NBA still reviewing Dwyane Wade elbow on Lance Stephenson. The fact that both teams traveled today no doubt has delayed matters. Twitter @christomasson

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Lance Stephenson 

The NBA is reviewing Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade's elbow to Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson's head, a person familiar with the review told USA TODAY Sports under the condition of anonymity. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak while NBA vice president of basketball Stu Jackson's office looked at the play. USA Today Sports

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Lance Stephenson, Stu Jackson 

Pacers guard Lance Stephenson said he is a more mature player than the one who gave the choke sign to LeBron James during Game 3 of last year’s playoff series. Stephenson apologized after that incident, and James said at the time: “Lance Stephenson? You want a quote about Lance Stephenson? I’m not even going to give him the time.” On Wednesday, Stephenson reflected on the incident: “I was trying to be involved in that game, yelling at guys at the free-throw line. I was just trying to get in his head. It was a mistake to be doing that.” Miami Herald

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Lance Stephenson 

Lance Stephenson finished with a playoff career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers pulled away late to beat the New York Knicks 106-99 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday night and won their Eastern Conference semifinal series four games to two. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

Two days ago he was a non-factor, hitting just 1-of-7 shots in a loss at Madison Square Garden that threatened to shift the momentum of the series. But here was Lance Stephenson, all 22 years of him, dominating one of the most important – and best – games ever played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Here was Lance Stephenson, becoming the fifth starter to lead the team in scoring in this series with a career-high 25 points, and adding 10 rebounds and zero turnovers in his 34 minutes. Here was Lance Stephenson, playing an essential and fearless role as the Pacers advanced past New York to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004, back when he was a 13-year-old kid on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and merely dreaming of playing in the NBA. Here was Lance Stephenson, screaming at the top of his lungs and pointing at the fans who were screaming at the top of their lungs as the final seconds wound down on his Broadway-worthy performance. “This is the best game of my life,” he said in an interview before leaving the court. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

One couple will be dressed to the nines at their prom Saturday night, thanks to NBA basketball player Lance Stephenson. Indiana high school student Megan Conlin, the winner of Stephenson’s “Ultimate Prom Experience,” will receive a free prom dress, shoes, a hair and makeup appointment and costume jewelry. Her date will receive a free tuxedo. Together they will split a free limo and steakhouse dinner, according to the Metropolitan School District website. Huffington Post

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Chris Herring: IND's Lance Stephenson: "All my family and friends [from NY area] are going 4 the Knicks. Except for my mom and dad; they're going for me." Twitter @HerringWSJ

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

Stephenson has been attacking the glass like he’s a big man the past three games. He’s grabbed at least 11 rebounds — 13, 11 and 12 — in the Pacer victories. Stephenson had 11 rebounds in a game only twice in his career before this stretch. “The kid is learning discipline,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We keep talking to him about not leaking out. He’s a weapon on the break, and that’s good. When he comes back and rebounds we’re pretty good, too.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

Scott Agness: Lance Stephenson on Instagram: “This treatment is killing me right now. I hate being hurt feel terrible. #prayforme” twitpic.com/clvus9 Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Indiana guard Lance Stephenson returned to the Pacers' playoff game to start the second half Wednesday night following a hard foul on an attempted layup. Stephenson was diagnosed with a bruised right hip and was listed as questionable to return but started the second half. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Scott Agness: Stephenson said his right hip is “horrible” but he’ll play through it. Hill (right elbow) said it’s nothing major and he’ll be fine. Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Lance Stephenson: I pray for all the people that was there in Boston Twitter @StephensonLance

Lance Stephenson, Boston