Miller, Coleman, Blount Get Fines and Suspensions

Indiana’s Reggie Miller and Philadelphia’s Derrick Coleman and Corie Blount were suspended by the NBA on Monday for their roles in an altercation.

Miller was suspended for one game and fined $7,500 for throwing a punch at Coleman in the third quarter of the Pacers’ 86-76 win over the 76ers on Sunday.

Coleman was suspended for two games and fined $12,500 for grabbing Miller’s throat and throwing a punch. Blount received an automatic one-game suspension and was fined $5,000 for leaving the vicinity of the bench during the altercation.

Also Monday, Charlotte guard Baron Davis was fined $7,500 for verbally abusing officials in the Hornets’ 92-78 loss to Memphis on Sunday.

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Milwaukee Buck point guard Sam Cassell didn’t dress for Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets because of a sprained toe.

Cassell played 35 minutes in a 91-86 victory at Toronto on Sunday and couldn’t make the quick turnaround. He was replaced Monday’s starting lineup by Rafer Alston.

“He didn’t do anything at shoot-around today and he’s hurting,” Milwaukee Coach George Karl said.

Cassell said Sunday that he was going to be selective about future games so that he’s healthy for the playoffs.

“I’d rather take care of it now,” said Cassell, who missed the previous two games.

Cassell said he would need three weeks to heal.

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The Phoenix Suns hired Al Bianchi as an assistant coach.

Bianchi’s new job comes a day after Frank Johnson replaced Scott Skiles as the team’s head coach.

Skiles stepped down as coach of the Suns, who are 25-27 and in danger of missing the NBA playoffs for the first time since 1988.

Bianchi, a college scout for the Suns the last nine seasons, served as a Phoenix assistant coach from 1975-1987. He was a head coach twice, for Seattle in the late 1960s and for the ABA’s Virginia Squires from 1969-1975.

Bianchi, who will turn 70 in March, was the general manager of the New York Knicks from 1987-1991.

He also played 10 years in the NBA with the Syracuse Nationals and the Philadelphia 76ers.

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The Philadelphia 76ers activated center Jabari Smith before Monday’s game against Denver. To make room for Smith, Philadelphia put forward Derrick McKey on the injured list.... The Cleveland Cavaliers put guard Bimbo Coles on the injured list and activated Trajan Langdon for Monday’s game against Utah.