Chris 'Birdman' Andersen suspended for Heat's Game 6

Jeff Zillgitt | USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — The NBA suspended Miami Heat forward-center Chris Andersen for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals after reviewing his Game 5 incident with Indiana Pacers big man Tyler Hansbrough.

"I did look at the tape, and I have no thoughts I'm willing to share with the media," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Friday.

Asked if he shared his thoughts with the league, Vogel said, "I have no comment on that."

The NBA upgraded Andersen's foul to a flagrant foul two from a flagrant foul one, meaning the league believes the referees should have issued a flagrant foul two and ejected Andersen after they reviewed the incident during the game. Also, the NBA rescinded Hansbrough's technical foul from the incident.

In a news release the NBA said Andersen "knocked ... Hansbrough to the floor, escalated the altercation by shoving Hansbrough, and resisted efforts to bring the altercation to an end."

Andersen, also docked a game's pay, knocked down and shoved Hansbrough with 9:02 left in the second quarter of Miami's 90-79 Game 5 victory Thursday and got in his face after the initial shove. Referee Marc Davis had to restrain Andersen and push him back toward Miami's bench.

After reviewing the incident on video at the scorer's table, referees called Andersen for a flagrant foul one and issued a double technical foul on both players.

Speaking on NBC Sports Radio earlier Friday, NBA Commissioner David Stern said Andersen's acts warranted an ejection and added, "A serious review of his activities is called for."

Hansbrough said after the game that Andersen did not make a "basketball play," but he did not comment further.

It is a damaging loss for the Heat, who have struggled to match the Pacers' size and strength. Andersen has been one Heat player able to give solid minutes against Indiana's big men, and he has been an unbelievably reliable scorer when asked.

Andersen hasn't missed a shot since Game 4 of the conference semifinals against the Chicago Bulls, a streak of 18 consecutive made shots. He is 15-for-15 against the Pacers.

Signed as a free agent in January, Andersen turned into one of the best non-trade, in-season acquisitions in recent years. The Heat are 49-6 with Andersen this season, playoffs included. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds during the regular season and is averaging 7.1 points and four rebounds in the playoffs -- 7.2 and 4.6 against the Pacers in 18.4 minutes a game.

Seldom-used backup center Joel Anthony likely will absorb some of Andersen's minutes. Anthony, who has played seven minutes in three games in the series, is a capable defender but an offensive liability. His presence on offense gives Indiana big men Roy Hibbert, David West, Ian Mahinmi and Hansbrough room to help out on other players when he is on the floor.

Andersen also put himself in further danger. He has two flagrant foul points in the playoffs, and if he receives another flagrant foul two, he will be automatically suspended for the following game.

For the second consecutive season, the Heat had a player suspended for a Game 6 against the Pacers. That's probably not a coincidence. Hansbrough was the Pacer involved in both incidents. Last year, Heat forward Udonis Haslem sat out Game 6 for striking Hansbrough in the head and neck.

Still, the Heat won Game 6 in Indianapolis and won the series 4-2.