MIAMI — No sooner had the Miami Heat completed Friday night’s 111-103 victory at TD Garden then teammates praised the bench players for being engaged throughout the win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Turned out they were a bit too involved.
Saturday, the NBA issued the Heat a $25,000 fine for literally overstepping their bounds.
Per the league:
“The Miami Heat organization has been fined $25,000 for violating league rules regarding team bench decorum, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.
“On multiple occasions, several players stood for an extended period in Miami’s team bench area, stood away from the team bench, and were on, encroaching upon or entering the playing court during live game action in the Heat’s 111-103 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27 at TD Garden.”
Shortly after the game, center Bam Adebayo was effusive about the energy provided from the bench from Markieff Morris, Udonis Haslem and Dewayne Dedmon, none of whom saw action Friday.
“Markieff Morris was the MVP of the game,” Adebayo said, “just his energy across the bench. Him, UD, Dedmon, everybody was a part of that win.”
The NBA has cracked down on such potential interference, with increasing fines for such violations.
The Dallas Mavericks were cited three times during their run to the Western Conference finals, including a $100,000 fine for the third such violation.
At the time, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, “It’s the league’s decision to fine, but we’re not going to sit. We’re going to cheer. The positive is the bench can look at it as they’re donating to a nice charity.”
The NBA issued Saturday’s fine to the Heat after coach Erik Spoelstra had already addressed the media.
