INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George spent much of Friday worried about whether hed be suspended for Game 7 against Atlanta. [url=http://

INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George spent much of Friday worried about whether hed be suspended for Game 7 against Atlanta. Custom Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys . Not a chance. Less than an hour after wrapping up practice, an NBA spokesman confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that league officials reviewed the tapes from Thursday nights altercation and determined none of the players who stepped onto the court would be punished for the decisive game of this first-round series. It was no surprise to the Pacers. "Were planning for him to be here until were told hes not going to be in there," coach Frank Vogel said shortly before the decision was made public. "I think he stayed in the vicinity of the bench." Players who leave the "vicinity" of the bench during a fracas can be suspended under league rules. Few, including Stu Jackson, the leagues former disciplinarian, expected that to happen with George, who took two slow, short steps onto the court before he was pushed back by assistant coach Popeye Jones. Jackson wrote on Twitter that he didnt expect the league to suspend George, Indianas best player and an All-Star starter. Losing George would have been a major blow to the Pacers comeback hopes. George has topped 20 points in all six games, has double-doubles in five of them and has been the one Pacers defender able to slow down quick, shifty Hawks guard Jeff Teague. And it was George and David West who saved the Pacers season with a late Thursday night in Atlanta, too. All the leagues best regular season home team must do now to reach the second round and avoid the distinction of becoming the sixth No. 1 seed in league history to be eliminated in the first round is protect its home court. Lately, thats been a problem. "My thing is that three of the last four times weve played these guys (in Indy), they built 20-point leads and beat us pretty good," Vogel said. "So I dont think anyone from this team can think were going to be OK just because were back home." The eighth-seeded Hawks understand. They had a chance to wrap up the best-of-seven series at home and rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter to take a five-point lead late in the fourth. Yet they still lost. "Weve responded well all year when weve been in difficult situations," coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday. "Part of our response is going to have to be better execution. I think we have a lot of positive reference points from all year. Our group has been very good and very resilient. I have a lot of confidence in our group." But this is going to be different. The Pacers, who spent all season chasing the Eastern Conferences top seed, expect a raucous crowd for the first Game 7 to be played at home in the franchises NBA history. Plus, they appeared to find a defensive solution to Atlantas spread offence by going small in Game 6. The Hawks, meanwhile, have only a day to adjust to Vogels new rotations and are on their own historic quest. A win Saturday would give Atlanta the distinction of having the fewest regular-season wins (38) of any second-round team since Detroits 36-win team beat Milwaukee in the first round of the 1976 playoffs, according to STATS. "Weve won on that floor before, so we know we can do it," Teague said. "We just have to go out there and do what we do and play our style of basketball, and it will take care of itself." George has plenty of motivation after a stressful week that included ceding home-court advantage for the second time in the series, losing his 2014 All-Star ring in a burglary that took place while he was playing Game 5, two elimination games and speculation that his 24th birthday celebration might be marred by the announcement of a one-game suspension. Theres only one thing that really would help him relax -- getting a second straight win and setting up Maury Wills Jersey . Samir Nasris 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea. Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sundays 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. David Freese Dodgers Jersey . Mitchell first announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Steelers and his agent Brian Hamilton confirmed the signing to The Associated Press. Financial terms were not released. The Steelers have not announced the addition of Mitchell. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-chris-taylor-jersey/ .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No.Sauber have revealed Marcus Ericsson will drive for the team next season though it is still unclear who will partner the Swede. The 26-year-olds new deal with the Swiss outfit means there are now just three seats remaining for 2017, with Ericssons current team-mate Felipe Nasr still sweating over his future while Manor also weigh up their options.Ericsson, whose highest finish of eighth in his three years in Formula 1 came at last years Australian GP, has set his sights on becoming a midfield regular with Sauber. The Formula 1 Gossip ColumnIt is great news that I will be racing for another year for the Sauber F1 Team, Ericsson said. I have spent two years with Sauber now, and I really feel at home. A big thanks to everyone within the team for trusting in me again.From a personal point of view, I have developed a lot as a driver during my time at Sauber. We have had ups and downs, but we always stick together and work as hard as we can. Since the new ownership, there has been a positive push in the team, so it will also be exciting to go into this new era. 2017 F1 line-ups Mercedes Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Ferrari Sebastian Vettel Kimi Raikkonen Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo Max Verstappen Force India Sergio Perez Esteban Ocon Toro Rosso Carlos Sainz Daniil Kvyat Williams Valtteri Bottas Lance Stroll McLaren Fernando Alonso Stoffel Vandoorne Haas Romain Grosjean Kevin Magnussen Renault Nico Hulkenberg Jolyon Palmer Sauber Marcus Ericsson TBC Manor TBC TBC For 2017 my aim is to build on my performance from the second half of this season, and to continue working hard with the team. Ross Stripling Jersey. I cannot wait for the 2017 season, so that we can make our way up to the midfield with the objective to score points on a regular basis.Ericssons stay slams shut another potential destination for drivers with Esteban Gutierrez, replaced by Haas with Kevin Magnussen, and Nasr thought to be fighting over Saubers remaining seat.Ericsson added that many motorsport experts are becoming part of Sauber, which is a good sign for the future, and team boss Monisha Kaltenborn agreed that things were looking up after a troubled campaign on and off the track.We are very pleased to announce that Marcus will remain our race driver in 2017, she said. During the current season Marcus has again showed he is willing to go that extra mile in order to make progress. He went through very difficult times with us, but managed those very well. In the last two years, he has made significant steps in regards to his personal development, proving his skills on as well as off track, especially when circumstances are not easy.He is not only a good driver, but also an important team player who understands how to work with the team and how to motivate everyone with his positive attitude.The Swiss squads future was secured in July when they acquired new owners after investment firm Longbow Finance bought the team.Sauber currently occupy the lucrative 10th place in the Constructors Championship following Nasrs ninth place finish in Brazil, bringing with it a potential windfall in excess of $30m.Dont miss the #DuelintheDesert live on Sky Sports as the F1 title race goes to the wire. Watch the entire Abu Dhabi GP weekend on Sky Sports F1 on November 25-27. Watch the whole race weekend with a NOW TV week pass - £10.99, no contract Also See: The Formula 1 Gossip Column Whens the Abu Dhabi GP on Sky F1? VOTE: F1s best wet drive F1 in 2017 dates ' ' '