News from May 15.

The NBA handed out the fines and suspensions for Wednesday's NY-Mia fight.
P.J. Brown (Mia) was fined $10,000 and suspended for 2 games.  If the
NY-Mia series does not go to 7 games, his 2nd game suspension will be
moved to the first game of the 97-98 season.  Charlie Ward (NY) was fined
$6,000 and suspended for 1 game.  Patrick Ewing (NY), Allan Houston (NY),
Larry Johnson (NY), and John Starks (NY) were fined $2,500 and suspended
for 1 game for leaving the bench.  Because playoff teams are required to
dress 9 players, Ward, Ewing, and Houston will miss game 6 and Johnson 
and Starks will miss game 7 or game 1 vs Chicago.  The games for the
suspension of the players who left the bench was determined
alphabetically.  Starks was also fined $5,000 for making an obscene
gesture at the crowd.  Dontae' Jones, who is not on the Knick's playoff
roster, also left the bench and has been restricted from sitting on the
bench for the rest of the playoffs and has been suspended for the first 
game of the 97-98 season.


Sea 99, Hou 96 - at Sea
Shawn Kemp (Sea) had 22 points including 10-14 FT and 11 rebounds.
Hersey Hawkins (Sea) had 16 points.
Gary Payton (Sea) had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 steals.
Terry Cummings (Sea) had 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Charles Barkley (Hou) had 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Mario Elie (Hou) had 18 points including 7-9 FG.
Hakeem Olajuwon (Hou) had 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Nate McMillan (Sea, torn cartilage right knee) did not play.
The series is tied 3-3.

 
Playoff Standings
  1st Round             2nd Round            3rd Round         Finals
  (Best of 5)           (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)     (Best of 7)
1 Utah (3)        _
8 LA Clippers (0)  |_ 1 Utah (4)      ___
                    _ 4 LA Lakers (1)    |
4 LA Lakers (3) ___|                     |_ 1 Utah (0)    _
5 Portland (1)                            _ _____________  |
                                         |                 |
2 Seattle (3) _____                      |                 |
7 Phoenix (2)      |_ 2 Seattle (3) _____|                 |
                    _ 3 Houston (3)                        |
3 Houston (3)   ___|                                       |
6 Minnesota (0)                                            |_ ___________
                                                            _ ___________
                                                           |
1 Chicago (3)    __                                        |
8 Washington (0)   |_ 1 Chicago (4)  ____                  |
                    _ 4 Atlanta (1)      |                 |
4 Atlanta (3) _____|                     |                 |
5 Detroit (2)                            |_ 1 Chicago (0) _|
                                          _ _____________ 
2 Miami (3)   _____                      |
7 Orlando (2)      |_ 2 Miami (2)     ___|
                    _ 3 New York (3) 
3 New York (3)  ___|
6 Charlotte (0)