Gasol, Pietrus continue row over 'French caress'

ORLANDO, Florida: The row over the foul by Mickael Pietrus on Pau Gasol in the waning seconds of game four of the NBA Finals continued on Saturday with both European players offering differing opinions of the play.

"The intention of that foul was hurtful," said Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers Spanish forward. "If I was unable to hold on to the rim I would have fallen and got injured. No doubt."

But Pietrus, Orlando Magic's 27-year-old guard from France, said: "It wasn't a dirty play. It was just a French caress."