Charlotte Bobcats forward Josh McRoberts was fined $US20,000 ($A21,600) by the NBA on Thursday for making unnecessary and excessive contact with Miami Heat star forward LeBron James.
McRoberts' foul on James with 50 seconds remaining in the Heat's 101-97 playoff victory on Wednesday also was upgraded to a Flagrant 2.
James drove and was met at the rim by McRoberts, whose right elbow struck the four-time NBA MVP around his chin.
James immediately began grabbing at his throat and needed much longer than usual to get up after a hard foul, which was not called flagrant.
"I don't need to see it again," James said after the game. "Most important thing is we won the game."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
McRoberts insisted it wasn't intentional: "It looked a lot worse than what it was."
The Heat lead the Eastern Conference first-round series 2-0.
Game three is on Saturday in Charlotte.
