Gregg Popovich sent his best players home, deciding they reached the end of the road before the trip was over.
For that, and for keeping it a secret, the San Antonio Spurs were fined $250,000 by the NBA on Friday.
Commissioner David Stern said the Spurs “did a disservice to the league and our fans” when they didn’t bring Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili or Danny Green to Miami for the final game of the six-game trip.
Teams are required to report as soon as they know a player will not travel because of injury.
The league’s statement said the Spurs were in violation of league policy reviewed with the board of governors in April 2010 against resting players in a manner “contrary to the best interests of the NBA.”
The Spurs didn’t comment on the penalty.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn’t think the penalty would keep teams from resting players.
“I don’t like it,” he said. “It’s a tough one. You’ve got to coach your team to win in the long run and you have to do whatever you need to do. If that’s sitting players, you sit players.”
Thunder 104, Jazz 96: Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Russell Westbrook made a two-pronged bid for his sixth career triple-double and Oklahoma City finished off an impressive homestand by beating Utah. Westbrook ended up with 23 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and seven steals.
Oklahoma City won all three games by double digits and
made a bid to win three in a row by at least 20 points for the first time in 25 years before a late charge by the Jazz.
Cavaliers 113, Hawks 111: Alonzo Gee scored on a putback with less than 1 second remaining, lifting Cleveland over host Atlanta and snapping a four-game losing streak.
Nets 98, Magic 86: Joe Johnson had 22 points and Brooklyn earned its fifth straight victory, holding off host Orlando. Gerald Wallace added 20 points, including five 3-pointers, as all five Nets starters reached double figures.
Raptors 101, Suns 97: DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, Amir Johnson added 16, and host Toronto beat Phoenix to snap a six-game losing streak. The Suns hadn’t lost in Toronto since Jan. 4, 2004, a span of seven straight victories.
76ers 104, Bobcats 98: Evan Turner scored 25 points, Jason Richardson hit four 3-pointers down the stretch, and visiting Philadelphia beat Charlotte. Jrue Holliday added 13 points and a career-high 15 assists for Philadelphia.
Knicks 108, Wizards 87: Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith each scored 20 points, and New York beat visiting Washington for the 10th straight time.
Celtics 96, Trail Blazers 78: Jeff Green scored 19 points, Jason Terry added 17, and Boston cruised without Rajon Rondo, topping Portland.
Rondo served the first game of his two-game suspension for his role in a scuffle Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Courtney Lee started in his place and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Timberwolves 95, Bucks 85: Alexey Shved scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Kevin Love overcame a nasty stomach bug to collect 15 points and 14 rebounds in host Minnesota’s victory over Milwaukee.
Source:
http://www.news.ezonearticle.com/2012/11/30/nba-david-stern-fines-san-antonio-spurs-250000/
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