The NBA has suspended Miami Heat's Chris Andersen for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals after shoving Indiana Pacers' Tyler Hansbrough in Game 5 on Thursday night.
The altercation occurred once Andersen body-checked Hansbrough to the floor after a missed layup by teammate Norris Cole in transition during the second quarter of the Heat's eventual 90-79 Game 5 win, giving them a 3-2 hold over the series.
Andersen proceeded to confront Hansbrough, bumping him in the chest and later struggled with official Marc Davis when Davis tried to defuse the situation.
On Friday, in an interview with NBC Sports Radio, NBA commissioner David Stern condemned Andersen' actions and said he should have been ejected by officials during the game. Stern also told NBC Sports Radio "a serious review of his activities is called for."
Andersen's suspension for Game 6 becomes a significant blow for the Heat, who have continually struggled in the paint with the Pacers' big men. Andersen is averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in the five games and is a perfect 15-for-15 from the field. He had four points and four rebounds in Game 5.
Meanwhile out west, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili on Thursday spoke on the importance of having home court advantage and how it can help shift a series. However, if the Spurs want to have home court advantage during the finals, they'll need Indiana to take out Miami.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, Ginobili said:
"It's not that we pull (for Indiana).I think this time it's different than before because the homecourt advantage. It is a big difference. It's not definitive. It doesn't mean that whoever has homecourt advantage is going to win. But we all prefer to have a Game 7 at home than on the road if we could get to that point. But besides that, different styles, I think we can match up with both."
Ginobili later said he's hoping that the series goes the full duration and beyond.
"Let them play," he said. "Five overtimes in Game 7. That would be great."
Related Articles:
Los Angeles Lakers News: Pau Gasol Off Crutches Three Weeks After Knee Procedure
NBA Playoff Standings 2013: LeBron James Reverts To His Cleveland Days In Game 5 Win Over Indiana, Pacers Players Call Out Shane Battier For Playing 'Dirty'
Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Rockets Plan To Trade Thomas Robinson To Free Cap Space For Howard, Has His Time In L.A. Come To An End?
NBA News And Rumors: Chris Paul Is Now 'Angry' With The Clippers, Could This Help Push Him Towards Signing With The Lakers?