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Birdman Reluctantly Accepts Game 6 Suspension

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Heat forward Chris Anderson is grudgingly accepting his one-game suspension from the NBA, promising not to change the way he plays.

The comments came less than 24 hours after league officials handed down the punishment. In Game 5, Andersen knocked Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough to the floor with a blind-side body check. When Hansbrough got up, Andersen shoved him in the chest.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after Saturday morning's shootaround that backup forward Joel Anthony would play more Saturday night in Game 6. The Heat lead the series 3-2 and can clinch a third straight trip to the NBA Finals with a win in Indianapolis.

The Pacers have their own issues to contend with. Forward David West was sent home early from shootaround with an upper respiratory infection.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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