As reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Rockets center Dwight Howard will be suspended one game, for making contact with an official during a disagreement. Feigen also reports that Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fined for comments he made following the game:
NBA announces Howard's suspension and Bickerstaff's fine. Here's the video of Howard slapping the offical. https://t.co/OZ0u1QCRv6
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 2, 2016
Bobby Marks of The Vertical points out that the suspension provides Houston savings on their luxury tax payments.
Houston will host the Miami Heat tonight. The team is on a three-game losing streak, including a 31-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The slide has dropped the Rockets to 25-25, and just a game and a half ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz, who are currently the eighth and ninth seeds in the Western Conference.
Howard had also been suspended for the first game of the regular season — a 20-point loss to the Nuggets — for flagrant fouls committed during last spring’s playoffs.