Heat's Pittman, Haslem handed suspensions
By Sports Network
|
  
|
  Miami Heat's Dexter Pittman, left, drives to the basket against Boston Celtics' Ryan Hollins in the first half of their NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts April 24, 2012. (REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi) |
New York – The National Basketball Association on Wednesday handed down suspensions to a pair of Miami Heat players.
Hit with a three-game ban was reserve center Dexter Pittman, while forward Udonis Haslem will serve a one-game penalty for actions during Tuesday's 115-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
It all came to a head in the closing seconds when Pittman threw a flying elbow into the neck of Indiana's Lance Stephenson. Both he and Haslem -- who struck the head of Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough -- were issued Flagrant Foul Ones, which were upgraded to Flagrant Foul Twos. In addition, Hansbrough was also given a Flagrant Foul One, later upgraded, for striking the head of Miami's Dwyane Wade.
Stephenson made headlines when he mimed he was choking after LeBron James missed a free throw in Indiana's Game 3 win, an action for which he has since apologized.
Haslem will serve his suspension during Thursday's Game 6 in Indianapolis, while Pittman's ban also begins Thursday.
