Miami Heat forward Chris "Birdman" Andersen received a flagrant foul in the second quarter of Thursday night's Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals by knocking Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansborough to the ground and then shoving him.It happened away from the play as Paul George had just grabbed a defensive rebound and passed the ball up the floor. Andersen just decided to give Hansborough a shoulder-to-shoulder body check that was hard enough to knock Hansborough to the floor. When Hansborough got up, they got in each other's faces and bumped chests, then Andersen gave Hansborough a shove for good measure.
Andersen received a flagrant-1 on the play and both players received a technical foul, with Hansborough making one of two free throws. Not only was Andersen able to stay in the game, but he blocked a Hansborough shot on the next Pacers offensive possession.
The Heat won the game 90-79 to take a 3-2 series lead.
UPDATE: The NBA has suspended Chris "Birdman" Andersen for Game 6 of the EAstern Conference Finals, and his flagrant-1 foul has been upgraded to a flagrant-2.
H/T LBS.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
