Belinelli Fined
Hornets shooting guard Marco Belinelli was fined $10,000 by the NBA yesterday. The fine was handed down for his flagrant foul on Mavs forward Shawn Marion. Here is more from the AP and espn.com.
NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson said the foul, initially ruled a flagrant foul, penalty one, has been reviewed by the league and changed to a more serious penalty two.
The foul caused Marion to lose his balance while attempting a fast-break layup. He crashed into photographers on the baseline, hurting his right ribs.
At practice in suburban New Orleans on Thursday, before Belinelli was fined, Hornets coach Monty Williams said he thought officials got the initial call right.
Williams went on to say that he did not think Belinelli intentionally tried to hurt Marion. After watching the replay, I agree. Belinelli went on to have arguably his best game of the season on Wednesday, propelling the Hornets to a one point victory over Dallas. Had the flagrant foul been ruled a flagrant 2 during the game, Belinelli would have been ejected, and the Hornets probably lose Wednesday's game.
Belinelli is expected to come off the bench tomorrow night against the Kings, though he has been playing more minutes than starting SG Willie Green.
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