Do you like puns based on early-2000s pop music? Good.
If you’ve been living under a football, the Indiana Pacers are the best team in the NBA, and they proved it last night in taking down the league’s two-time defending champion Miami Heat, winning 90-84. The Pacers are now 19-3 on the season after a 3-2 road trip against top Western Conference teams.
Last night’s victory came in front of a packed Bankers Life Fieldhouse audience that included the arguable best boy-band frontman the world has ever seen and heard.
Justin Timberlake, the Mouseketeer–turned–singer-turned-actor, was on hand at the arena Tuesday night to take in the game between the Eastern Conference’s top two squads. But the Artist Formerly Known as the Face of *NSYNC isn’t abiding in Indianapolis for a mere basketball game. Timberlake is in the Circle City as part of his 20/20 Experience world tour and will performing in that same house, the Fieldhouse, tonight at 8 p.m.
Now it’s time for some tweets from last night’s game, showing the singer enjoying a night in Indy. Also: puns.
During the game a video played of Pacer Danny Granger singing Timberlake’s song “Holy Grail.” The singer gave the performace a standing ovation.
Standing ovation from @jtimberlake for Danny-oke timeout video w/ “Holy Grail.” JT’s in concert @TheFieldhouse Wed. pic.twitter.com/DKV1EaEpno
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 11, 2013
The Pacers trailed the Heat 47-40 at halftime after Indiana gave up 30 first-quarter points. As a result, puns Nos. 1 and 2 courtesy of FOX 59 sports anchor Chris Hagan.
With @jtimberlake in attendance @pacers didn’t seem NSYNC during the 1st half, but by the end, it was Bye Bye Bye to the Heat. #crymeariver
— Chris Hagan (@chrishaganfox59) December 11, 2013
Following the game Timberlake shot the ball around. WTHR sports reporter Rich Nye snapped a shot of the action and provided pun No. 3, straight off *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached album:
Justin Timberlake shooting around at Fieldhouse with #Pacers Paul George. pic.twitter.com/ncIHpefapX
— Rich Nye (@TheSportsGuy13) December 11, 2013
Finally, Timberlake and the Pacers’ star forward-guard, Paul George, played a game of “horse” as head coach Frank Vogel looked on.
.@Paul_George24 and @jtimberlake playing H-O-R-S-E now. Notice coach Vogel and Burke watching in the corner. pic.twitter.com/fThtkA6AXb
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) December 11, 2013
J Timberlake shooting hoops at @TheFieldhouse after #Pacers v Heat. Pic by @AHartvig. #Indy pic.twitter.com/zn4NMKeUBa
— Evan West (@EvanWest1) December 11, 2013