Spurs fined $250K for ‘rest’
without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way. Under these circumstances, I have concluded that the Spurs did a disservice to the league and our fans.”
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 violated 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 96, Trail Blazers: Jeff Green scored 19 points, Jason Terry added 17 and host Boston cruised to a comfortable win 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.
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.
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.
Nets 98, Magic 86: Joe Johnson had 22 points and visiting Brooklyn its fifth straight victory, holding off Orlando.
Knicks 108, Wizards 87: Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith each scored 20 points, and host New York beat Washington for the 10th straight time.
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.
76ers 104, Bobcats 98: Evan Turner scored 25 points, Jason Richardson hit four 3-pointers down the stretch and visiting Philadelphia beat Charlotte for its third consecutive victory.
Grizzlies 90, Pistons 78: Rudy Gay had 18 points, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley added 17 each, and host Memphis won its fourth straight with a victory over Detroit.
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.
Cavaliers 113, Hawks 111: Alonzo Gee scored on a putback with less than 1 second remaining, lifting visiting Cleveland over Atlanta that snapped a four-game losing streak.