Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers was one of Miami's most contentious playoff series - Palm Beach Post

By Hal Habib

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted: 5:23 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2012

Ranking the most contentious playoff series in Heat history:

1. 1997 conference semifinals: Heat d. Knicks 4-3

Miami's P.J. Brown flipping Charlie Ward, heels over head. Their skirmish, while battling for a potential rebound of a free throw, triggered a melee and the harshest penalties the NBA had assessed to that point for such ugliness. Brown was suspended for two games. Because so many Knicks joined in, the NBA spread out their suspensions, banning Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston and Ward for Game 6 and Larry Johnson and John Starks for Game 7. The Heat won both. Starks was fined $5,000 for waving his middle finger at Miami Arena fans. Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said Brown committed "the most cowardly act I've seen in eight years in the league."

2. 1998 first round: Knicks d. Heat 3-2

Is there a more amusing NBA clip than Van Gundy nipping at Alonzo Mourning's heels? Van Gundy cinched down on Zo's leg like a chihuahua and was dragged around the court in a hopeless attempt to break up a fight between Mourning and New York's Larry Johnson with 1.4 seconds left in Game 4. Van Gundy admitted he "looked like a fool." Both players were suspended for the series finale. "You've got to draw the line somewhere," Mourning said. "My manhood was tested."

3. 2012 conference semifinals: Heat d. Pacers 4-2

This series had everything: Charges of flopping (before it began). Charges of head-hunting. Technical and flagrant fouls. Dwyane Wade snarling at Erik Spoelstra. Udonis Haslem and Wade bleeding. Revenge exacted by Haslem and Dexter Pittman (aka Pittman the Hittman), earning suspensions. Lance Stephenson giving LeBron James the choke sign and Juwan Howard giving Stephenson a piece of his mind. You know it's bad when fans are sporting bandages (in support of a stitched-up Haslem).

4. 1994 first round: Hawks d. Heat 3-2

A lost gem - if it can be called that - low-lighted by Grant Long putting a choke hold on Atlanta's Duane Ferrell. Both benches emptied. Atlanta police and Fulton County deputies intervened. The NBA handed out a total of $135,000 in fines and suspended Miami's Keith Askins and Atlanta's Doug Edwards three games each. Informed he was suspended a game for instigating the melee, Long said, "In other words, I am responsible for the actions of all the other adults who were out there?"

5. 2006 first round: Heat d. Bulls 4-2

It's best remembered for Miami's James Posey lowering a shoulder into Kirk Hinrich, who'd been driving in the open court en route to a layup. But the seed was planted during the 2004-05 regular season, when Wade was decked by Chicago's Andres Nocioni. Haslem first responded by sending Nocioni two rows deep into the stands. Heat coach Stan Van Gundy (with apologies to his brother) said of Nocioni, "I thought it was an absolute punk play. If you're going to be a tough guy, then you know what? Flagrant foul Alonzo Mourning and let's see how tough you are." Posey was suspended for one game.