James, West, Stephenson Fined for Flopping

Associated PressPublished: May 30, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat falls into photographers and a videorapher during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 28, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) - Miami's LeBron James and Indiana's David West and Lance Stephenson have all been fined $5,000 by the NBA for violating the league's anti-flopping policy.

James and West were penalized for the same play during a messy Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. James spun and fell and West tumbled toward the baseline during what looked like a poorly choreographed dance routine as the NBA's MVP defended the Indiana forward.

Stephenson was fined Thursday for exaggerating the contact after a slight elbow from Ray Allen following a Pacers basket.

The NBA began fining players this year for the act of trying to fool referees into calling fouls when there had been limited contact.