Pacers’ Rose Suspended for Game 5

A Pacer bit the dust, but not the one Bull Coach Phil Jackson was rooting for.

The NBA suspended reserve Jalen Rose for tonight’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals for leaving the bench, but let Reggie Miller off with a $2,500 fine for squaring off against Ron Harper.

Harper, who precipitated the outburst by pulling Miller backward into the Chicago bench, was fined $3,500.

Rose, also fined $2,500, ran to midcourt as players milled around. Pacer Coach Larry Bird tried to get him off, saying he had told Jalen to report to the scorer because he was going in for defense, but the league didn’t buy it.

Jackson was also fined $10,000 for criticizing the referees after Game 4.

After his team’s practice Tuesday--and a conversation with a league official--Jackson continued his protest but in a more conciliatory tone.

“Our guys [referees] are under great duress,” said Jackson, having just added to it. “They do a great job under great duress.”

After the practice, only Luc Longley talked to reporters. The league recently levied its annual $50,000 fine against the team for failing to make players available and may fine the Bulls again. Thus, it wasn’t the very best day for the NBA, public relations-wise but it was good for the treasury.