DALAS – The NBA fined the Dallas Mavericks for the third time in the playoffs on Sunday for violating the rules regarding their bench.
The fine doubled each time, the last – $ 100,000 after the 2nd game of the Western Conference Finals at Golden State on Friday. 3 games in Dallas were scheduled for Sunday night. None of the fines were from the Dallas games.
Several Mavericks players have played in most or all of the playoff games, including home games. Penalties are provided for players and coaches who stand for long periods of time, move too far away from the bench and encroach on the court during the game.
Both of the first two penalties were received in the West semifinals against Phoenix after games 2 and 7 in Arizona. The first fine was $ 25,000, the second – $ 50,000 after Dallas won with 33 points in the deciding game.
During the Warriors ’126-117 victory in Game 2, Stephen Curry threw a pass out of the game when there was no teammate in the zone. Pass was near Theo Pinson of Dallas, who was standing and waving his hand in a white shirt. Golden State was in his home white uniform.
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“He raised his hands, calling for the ball,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Sunday’s shooting. “It’s too much.”
Kerr added that Curry’s turnaround was the only time he was upset by the bench in Dallas during 2 games.
“Actually, I love their bench,” Kerr said. “They have great chemistry, great energy. They’ve had a phenomenal season, and part of that is because they’re so connected to each other. ”
Pinson signed a 10-day contract with the Mavericks during the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season. He eventually got a two-year deal and headed the doctors off the bench when his playing time was reduced. Pinson was idle in the playoffs.
Tim Hardway Jr. also entered the spirit of encouragement from the bench. He has been out since January with a broken left leg and will not return to the playoffs.
They’re not the only ones standing for long, and the Mavericks may not be ready to change their approach to the bench if Hardway’s reaction on Twitter to the latest fine this is any sign.
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In another incident from Game 2 Davis Bertans of the Mavericks became entangled with Damion Lee after scoring a three-pointer in front of a Dallas bench. The contact led to several Golden State players approaching the bench, but there was no confrontation. Bertans and Lee were evaluated for technical fouls.
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