Sports

Shaun Livingston has never seen the gruesome video of himself grabbing a loose ball near midcourt, dribbling three times, going in for a layup attempt and having his left knee shred on the landing.

He doesn't intend to watch it anytime soon, either.

"I'm not focusing on the past. I'm just really looking forward," Livingston said. "No mental image in my mind should really derail me."

More than 19 months after that mishap nearly ended his career, Livingston has a second chance. The free-agent point guard signed a two-year contract Friday with the Miami Heat, who believe Livingston - the No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft by the Clippers - could eventually be a steal.

"He has great size and feel for the game at his position," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I've followed him for a few years. It's unfortunate, really, what happened, but we'd normally never be able to get a player of his talent at this time. He's very committed to getting healthy and we have a great staff to help him get there."

Heat President Pat Riley said last week that the team was only $415,000 shy of reaching the luxury-tax threshold, so signing the 6-foot-7, 23-year-old Livingston would suggest another deal to free up some cap space could be forthcoming before the regular season opens at the end of the month.

Pacers

Indiana declined to comment Friday on a report that point guard Jamaal Tinsley would be traded to Denver for Steven Hunter and Chucky Atkins.

Pacers President Larry Bird downplayed the report, which appeared in Friday's New York Post, saying the team wouldn't comment on "trade rumors" involving any of its players.

Hunter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, denied his client was involved in the reported deal.

"There's nothing happening with that trade," Bartelstein told the Associated Press.

Bulls

Chicago forward Joakim Noah is out with an eye injury.

The team says Noah likely will miss five days after being poked in the left eye during practice Wednesday.

The team said Friday that the injury left Noah with blood in the front chamber of his eye. He'll be monitored daily by the Bulls' medical staff.