NEW YOR (AFP) — Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Washington guard DeShawn Stevenson were each fined 25,000 dollars by the National Basketball Association for "menacing gestures" in playoff games.
NBA commissioner David Stern said the punishments imposed were meant as a warning to players regarding on-court confrontations and challenges from rivals during games.
"The league is sending a message - You're the best athletes in the game. Play the game. If you get baited, don't take the bait," Stern said. "We're not going to let it degrade to something else."
Pierce made his gesture in the final seconds of a 102-93 loss to Atlanta in game three of their Eastern Conference opening-round playoff series. Pierce will appeal the fine after the playoffs, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
"It's behind us. We want to move forward," Rivers said. "We're going to focus on playing basketball."
The Celtics had the NBA's best record and own a home-court edge throughout the NBA playoffs.
"It's silly," Rivers said. "The guys have done things to everyone else as a sign to everyone else. Unfortunately, everybody is sensitive about signs. I didn't know that, but I know that now."
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