Nelson vows to fine ejected Davis, Jackson

Golden State Warriors Coach Don Nelson said Thursday that he will fine point guard Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson for being ejected from Wednesday’s Game 2 loss at Dallas.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me, as hard as we worked to get to the playoffs, to all of a sudden get there and not be able to play because of ejections and not controlling our emotions,” said Nelson, adding only that the fines would be substantial.

The NBA hadn’t disciplined Davis, who apparently was thrown out for sarcastically applauding the officials late in the third quarter, or Jackson, who left in a roundabout manner after getting his second technical foul in the final minutes.

The series is tied 1-1.

Meanwhile, Warriors guard Monta Ellis was selected the NBA’s most improved player, edging Sacramento’s Kevin Martin in the closest voting in the award’s history.

Ellis, a second-year pro who averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds, received 47 first-place votes and 352 points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Martin, the Kings’ leading scorer, got 44 first-place votes and 349 points. Ellis averaged 6.8 points last season.

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New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd sat out practice because of a strained left knee and will be a game-time decision for tonight’s third game against Toronto. Kidd was hurt early in the Game 2 loss. The series is tied 1-1.

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Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said he interviewed Larry Brown about his coaching vacancy but that other candidates will also be considered. Mike Fratello was fired in December and replaced in the interim by Tony Barone Sr.