Heat F Posey suspended one game for flagrant foul
NEW YORK (TICKER) —Two days after taking down Luol Deng, James Posey was taken down by the NBA.
The league on Friday suspended Posey one game without pay for his actions in the Miami Heat’s game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
Posey drew the penalty for his flagrant foul against Deng midway through the fourth quarter of Miami’s 109-103 loss. The Heat swingman pulled down Deng from behind and was issued a flagrant foul, penalty two.
“I don’t know what Posey was doing, if he was making a play,” Deng said. “I have to watch the replay and see what he was doing.”
Heat coach Pat Riley jumped to his player’s defense, arguing that Posey simply was trying to block Deng’s shot.
“There was no intent except to block the shot, “Riley said. “I know he went after the ball. As long as you go after the ball you are OK. He didn’t go after his head.”
The 6-8 Posey is averaging 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23 games with the Heat this season, his second with the team. He will miss Miami’s home contest against the New Jersey Nets on Friday night.
