NBA to seek penalties for Spurs sit-outs
BY Associated Press
Friday, November 30, 2012
11/30/12 at 5:32 AM
MIAMI, Fla. (AP) - The NBA plans to make San Antonio pay for resting four stars in its game with the Miami Heat.
Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 22.6 seconds left gave the Heat the lead, LeBron James finished with 23 points and the Heat rallied late to beat the Spurs 105-100 on Thursday night - needing to dig deep despite San Antonio's decision to have four standouts resting at home in a move that irked NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Allen scored 20 points, Dwyane Wade added 19 and Chris Bosh finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, now 7-0 at home.
Gary Neal had 20 points for the Spurs, who played without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green. The Spurs' top foursome was sent back to San Antonio by coach Gregg Popovich, who said the move was in his team's best interest. Stern wasn't happy about it, calling the move "unacceptable" and saying that sanctions against the Spurs will be forthcoming.
"I apologize to all NBA fans," Stern said. "This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming."
Stern's statement was released roughly the same time as tip-off in Miami for the nationally televised game.
Before the game, Popovich said he decided to sit his core when he saw how challenging this particular part of the schedule was for his team. Thursday's matchup ended a six-games-in-nine-nights swing for the Spurs, who won their first five on the trip.
