The Heat didn't appreciate the one-game suspension of forward Udonis Haslem for Game 2 of the Chicago series, and it didn't do much to hide its disdain on Monday. Haslem was suspended for throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of referee Joey Crawford in the second quarter of Miami's 111-106 Game 1 victory.
"I've got to watch out (for) what I say," coach Pat Riley began. "I thought the ejection (from Game 1) was more than enough of a penalty. I was always wondering if the ball was going that way -- I think it was going on a fast-break -- why he wasn't (Crawford) looking down the floor? I'll leave that to you. (He) stopped play, actually.
"But anyhow, I thought the ejection was more than enough, but they did not. They've had precedent on this. It's just a very unfortunate thing for us right now."
Center Alonzo Mourning said he'd have a "long conversation" with Stu Jackson, the NBA vice president for basketball operations, the one who makes decisions on suspensions.
"I thought maybe a (technical foul) and maybe a call from Stu; he'd maybe get fined $5,000 or something," Mourning said. "Other than that, I thought it was tremendous overreaction on both parts, the ref and the league."
Both Haslem and Heat owner Micky Arison, the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, spoke with Jackson after Game 1, but they obviously had no luck in averting a suspension.
"It's kind of unfortunate," Mourning said, "but my guess is the league is trying to send a message out there to everybody saying, 'Hey, we've got everything under control and we don't want you guys doing anything to damper the image of the league, because the whole world is watching the players, so everybody has to walk the straight line.'"
REPLAY
Although center Shaquille O'Neal had 22 points and guard Dwyane Wade had 21 points, it was the complementary players who allowed the Heat to take a 115-108 Game 2 victory over Chicago and take a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven first-round series.
Forward Antoine Walker (17 points, 10 rebounds), guard Jason Williams (22 points), forward James Posey (12 points) and guard Gary Payton (11 points), all of whom were acquired during the summer, all played major roles in the victory.
"They were brought (in) for what we're going through now," O'Neal said. "They were brought (in) for the playoffs. Last year, we had some injuries and we really didn't have the additional firepower. Now we have that additional firepower, and everybody's playing good."
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