Lance Stephenson has practically made a career out of annoying LeBron James. Remember that time four years ago, when LeBron played for the Heat and Lance played for the Pacers, that Lance blew on LeBron's ear during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals?
The more things change, the more they remain the same after all. After stints with five other teams, Born Ready is back with the Pacers. And, with the Cavs and Indy matched up in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Lance is back to harassing LeBron.
Earlier this season, LeBron called Lance "dirty" and gave him a light shove. In Sunday's Game Four, he was a little more aggressive. With Stephenson hounding him, LBJ slapped Lance's hands and then hit him with a butt bump.
In the fourth quarter, Lance goaded LeBron into drawing a technical foul.
After the game, LeBron chastised both the refs and Lance.
On Instagram, LeBron's teammate J.R. Smith used an emoji to convey his perspective, calling Stephenson a "straight clown."
Lance also got into it in the final seconds of the game with Jeff Green.
"He's not going to fight," Green said post-game, per ESPN. "I'm not going to fight. It's not worth it. I mean, if we wanted to fight, there's a big-ass parking lot out there and we can fight. But at the end of the day, my job is to keep my composure, go to the free throw line, knock one down and then move on. It's not worth it to give that extra energy to him."
The Cavs won a hard-fought Game Four, 104-100. The series has shifted back to Cleveland. Game Five will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST. The game will air on TNT.
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