NBA, David Stern Fine San Antonio Spurs $250,000

David Stern back-up his pregame tirade as the NBA announced Friday it has fined the San Antonio Spurs $250,000 as a result of Greg Popovich sitting four of his top players Thursday night.

Popovich sent stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, plus key role player Danny Green, on a commercial flight home instead of playing them in a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat so they could rest ahead of the Spurs' Saturday home game against the league-leading Memphis Grizzlies.

The Heat won the game 105-100, but needed a late 3-pointer from Ray Allen to clinch the win.