James, two Pacers fined for flopping

NEW YORK (AFP) –

LeBron James of the Miami Heat walks back to the bench after he fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 28, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 99-92.

NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James of the defending champion Miami Heat and Indiana’s David West and Lance Stephenson were each fined $5,000 on Thursday by the league for flopping.

The punishments came for violations in game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, which the Pacers won 99-92 on Tuesday to level the best-of-seven series at two wins each. The winner will face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

Stephenson’s flop, falling over or to the court after minimal contact from an opposing player, came in the last seconds of the first quarter when he tried to entice a foul call against Miami’s Ray Allen after incidental contact.

James and West were later accused of flopping when they made contact with each other near the basket on the same play with Miami leading 89-87 late in the fourth quarter.