Posey arrested in DUI case

Miami Heat forward James Posey was arrested early Monday on suspicion of drunk driving after an officer pulled him over for stopping in the middle of a road.

Posey had stopped his car on a double-lane Miami Beach road, talking to occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians, police said.

Once out of the car, Posey displayed “bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath,” the police report said.

Posey was arrested and taken to Miami-Dade County jail. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

Posey issued an apology through the team, denying the charges.

“Please know that I was neither intoxicated nor was I driving at the time,” Posey said. “However, out of respect to the police, and to the legal process which must follow, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this moment.”

Posey did not practice Monday and it was unknown if he flew with the team to Charlotte, N.C., for tonight’s game. Coach Pat Riley said the team will wait to collect “all the facts” before making any decisions on Posey’s status.

Meanwhile, center Shaquille O’Neal will not play tonight because of his paternal grandfather’s funeral in Newark, N.J. He was expected to return Wednesday against Washington.

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Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith was suspended by the team for two games, one day after an expletive-filled tirade at Coach Mike Woodson late in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Milwaukee Bucks leading scorer Michael Redd will sit out the last six games of the season because of a nagging left knee injury, the team said.