NBA fines Ainge $25,000 for towel toss

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was fined $25,000 by the NBA Thursday for tossing a towel in an attempt to distract Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson as he shot a free throw.

Ainge, who was sitting courtside under the Cavs' basket, flipped a white towel over his head during the third quarter of Monday's game. The Celtics led by 23 points at the time, and Hickson made the free throw anyway.

Stu Jackson, the league's executive vice president of basketball operations, fined Ainge for "an unauthorized distraction and for conduct detrimental to the game."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after yesterday's practice in Waltham, Mass., that he was surprised Ainge was fined. "That's a lot of towels. Those are some Grade A towels that Danny bought, for sure," he said. "What's the difference between that and mascots, [who] do it all the time? I was wondering if Danny had borrowed [Celtics mascot] Lucky's outfit. He could try that."

No pain, no gain

LeBron James knows he's in for a painful playoff run. Chasing an NBA title with the Cavaliers at less than 100 percent, the two-time league MVP said his injured right elbow feels better but that it won't completely heal until he rests it after the season. He has accepted his fate, saying "I've got to play with it."

All-NBA first team

James and Orlando center Dwight Howard are unanimous choices for the All-NBA Team. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers got 119 of a possible 122 votes from writers and broadcasters throughout North America. Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Dwyane Wade of Miami also were first-team picks.

Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar'e Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Deron Williams are on the second team. Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut, Joe Johnson and Brandon Roy were third-team picks.

- AP