Pacers' Jeff Pendergraph fined for flop vs. Hawks

The NBA tagged Indiana Pacers forward Jeff Pendergraph with a flopping violation on Sunday, according to CBS Sports. By league rule, he will be fined $5,000 for his first flop of the postseason.

The play by Pendergraph came early in the second quarter of Wednesday's Game 5 victory against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta forward Josh Smith was backing down Pendergraph when the Pacers forward reacted to Smith's spin move toward the cup by flinging his head backward and falling to the floor without much -- if any -- contact.

The league increases the penalties for flopping during the playoffs. A first offense in the regular-season only netted players a warning, but in the postseason it results in a fine. After an initial offense, repeat violators face increased fines of $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000. A fifth offense warrants possible suspension, plus an additional fine.

The Pacers closed out the Hawks on Friday to win the first round series, and they open the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday afternoon against the New York Knicks.

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