Mavericks forward Howard fined for push
HOUSTON (AP) - Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was fined US$5,000 by the NBA on Saturday for shoving San Antonio's Bruce Bowen on Thursday night.
The six-foot-seven Howard knocked down Bowen with a hard shove in the second quarter of the Spurs' 97-91 victory. Howard was called for a flagrant foul, penalty one.
On Saturday, the league fined Howard and upgraded the foul to a penalty two. A flagrant foul, penalty two is called for ''unnecessary and excessive contact'' and carries an automatic ejection, according to NBA rules.
The Mavericks faced Houston on Saturday night.
