NBA Fines Erik Spoelstra $25K For Criticizing Officiating

After the NBA’s suspensions of Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was quoted saying the NBA “does not have a problem” with Indiana committing hard fouls on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Spoelstra went onto accuse the Pacers of more than a dozen hits to the face of Miami’s players—”some of the tomahawk variety”—in the nine games between them this season. The League responded by fining Spoelstra $25,000 on Friday for “critical public comments” about officiating: “The NBA fined Miami coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 on Friday for “critical public comments” about officiating in the Eastern Conference series with Indiana. Spoelstra made the comments before Miami’s shootaround Thursday in Indianapolis, hours before the Heat beat the Pacers in Game 6 to win the series. Spoelstra was quoted by several media outlets saying the NBA ‘does not have a problem’ with Indiana committing hard fouls on Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Spoelstra told reporters he counted more than 12 instances where Heat players were struck in the face by the Pacers this season.”