IC Cold Links: Granger Appeals One-Game Suspension

Any time you lose nearly $110,338 because of a measly one-game suspension, you've got to do something about it. I wouldn't know this from personal experience, but if you do, then you feel the pain of Indiana Pacers star Danny Granger.

After getting into a tussle with the Phoenix Suns last week, the NBA delivered Granger a one-game suspension for allegedly throwing a punch during the skirmish. It cost Granger a "small" part of his $9.9 million salary, while also costing him a game on the court (and it also cost the Pacers another loss toward Lottery Heaven, allowing the players to open up the court and play well in a win against the 76ers). Granger isn't backing down to the NBA, however.

"I didn't throw a punch at anybody, I pushed," Granger said. "We've already started the appeal process. I have no idea how long the appeal process will take, but we're doing it because I know I didn't throw a punch. I was very surprised when I was told about it."

Granger was in the middle of the action during the fight when he came to back-up teammate Earl Watson, who was hit in the back of the head by Channing Frye. Granger went after Frye, who then threw a punch at Granger. The NBA interpreted Granger's next move as a punch, but it could also be interpreted as an aggressive push. Whatever. Give Granger his money back so we can move on. Hopefully, he'll donate his winnings to charity instead of building a second Bat Cave at his house.

Check out the jump for links to last night's loss in Boston.

• AP Story
• Box Score
• NBA.com Recap
• PACERS: Inside the Game: Celtics 122, Pacers 103
  Bruno's Inside The Game report has all of the numbers, notes, quotes and highlights. Stat of the Night features this little tidbit from last night's loss: "The Pacers trailed by at least 20 points for the fourth time in five road games, and sixth time in the last nine."
• Ford Keys to the Game: Pacers at Celtics | Celtics.com
  Boston's Web site gives the take from the home team's perspective.
• Boston cruises to win | IndyStar.com
  Mike Wells reports on the Celtics gaining some of their old swagger back against the Pacers' helpless defense. Coach Jim O'Brien said it best: "We were playing a wounded tiger and they came out and pounded us, and we never recovered from it. They have too many weapons for us. They played well and shot the basketball well."
• IndyStar.com | Pacers Insider
  Wells asks Danny Granger if he regrets signing a contract extension with the NBA bottom-dwelling Pacers. The team's star said he has none.
• Celtics Bounce Back with Blowout Win Over Pacers
  SBNation's Celtics Blog notes that the green team came a far way in just two days after receiving a wave of booing from their own fans just two nights ago. The Pacers can make any problem go away for an opposing team.
• A Bright Future
  Always Miller Time looks into the past and future of this season for the Pacers.
• Pacers Punchless In Boston
  Real GM's Andrew Perna covered last night's game to gain some perspective on the Pacers. Perna also reported from the game that T.J. Ford expects to keep hearing trade rumors for as long as he wears the gold jersey in Indianapolis.
  
• Celtics turn the switch
  The Boston Globe recaps the Celtics' win. Here is another recap from the Boston Herald.
• Big Ten Tournament notebook: For now, Turner focuses on Ohio State, not the NBA
  After yesterday's big-time performance in Conseco "Reggie Miller" Fieldhouse, Evan Turner received a lot of attention from the people of Indiana. But, don't get too excited yet. The Indianapolis Star reports the Ohio State player is just fine focusing on college basketball at the moment.
• Reggie Miller, in ESPN's Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks - WSJ.com
  The Wall Street Journal reviews and documents a viewing of the new Reggie Miller flick, which airs Sunday evening at 9 p.m. on ESPN. For those Pacers fans living across the Northern border, TSN will air the documentary two days later on Tuesday, according to Channel Canada.