DALLAS - The Mavericks-Spurs series took another wild turn Thursday, with
Dallas guard Jason Terry getting suspended from Game 6 for punching former
teammate Michael Finley while chasing a loose ball in the closing seconds of
Game 5.
Terry and Finley jostled with 3.4 seconds left in San Antonio's 98-97 victory
on Wednesday night. Terry wound up on his back, grasping the ball, with Spurs
forward Manu Ginobili forcing a jump ball by getting a hand on it, too.
While officials were sorting things out, Finley was visibly angry and had to
be restrained by teammates. He appeared to be making a fist and telling his
teammates that someone had punched him.
Nothing was called at the time and neither team mentioned the incident during
postgame interviews, but NBA vice president Stu Jackson said "clearly, something
happened," so it was reviewed early Thursday.
Jackson said broadcast footage doesn't show the punch, but it was obvious
when viewed from other angles. He also interviewed both players before handing
down his ruling.
"There was no option here," Jackson said. "The rule is very clear cut. If you
throw a punch, whether it connects or not, that will get you an automatic
one-game suspension."
The Mavericks lead the series 3-2. They have another chance to advance to the
conference finals in Game 6 at home Friday night.
If the Spurs win, Game 7 would be Monday night in San Antonio.
Terry already had been sharing point-guard duties with Devin Harris since
Game 2. Dallas' most likely move is adding Jerry Stackhouse to the lineup.
Terry is averaging 17.9 points in the playoffs, second on the club behind
Dirk Nowitzki. He scored 32 points in Game 4 and had 15 in Game 5, missing a
potential winning shot in the final seconds.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban called the suspension "unbelievable" in an e-mail to
The Associated Press.
"Michael Finley does a pile driver with his hip to Jason's head while he is
on the ground," Cuban wrote. "Jason is on his back with Ginobili laying on top
of him. No question he tried to get Finley off of him and he should be fined for
that. But to suspend him is questionable."
Asked about Cuban's assertion, Jackson said: "Certainly all players have the
right to a loose ball. We recognize when players attempt to get a loose ball,
there is going to be some contact."
Terry did not speak to reporters after practice Thursday. He was still
shooting when coach Avery Johnson called him to the locker room; he didn't
return and he wasn't expected to take part in his local radio show scheduled for
Thursday night.
Spurs players weren't available for comment Thursday.
San Antonio's victory in Game 5 kept alive its title defense and extended a
series that already is being called a classic.
