National Basketball Association

NBA fines Heat coach Spoelstra $25K

Published May. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA fined Miami coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 on Friday for ''critical public comments'' about officiating in the Eastern Conference series with Indiana.

Spoelstra made the comments before Miami's shootaround Thursday in Indianapolis, hours before the Heat beat the Pacers in Game 6 to win the series. Spoelstra was quoted by several media outlets saying the NBA ''does not have a problem'' with Indiana committing hard fouls on Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Spoelstra told reporters he counted more than 12 instances where Heat players were struck in the face by the Pacers this season.

Miami had two players suspended for Game 6 for flagrant fouls. Indiana's Tyler Hansbrough was not suspended for a flagrant he committed against Wade, opening a cut over the Miami guard's right eye.