Grizzlies Hollins defends flagrant foul but not flop

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Grizzlies want to make sure everyone knows that just because Tony Allen was fined $5,000 for flopping by the NBA, it doesn’t mean the key foul he drew in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals wasn’t a flagrant.

The NBA fined Allen on Friday after the Grizzlies had practiced.

Allen did not talk to reporters after Saturday’s shootaround for Game 3 against the Spurs.

But Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said whether Allen hit his head on the floor or not had nothing to do with the flagrant foul. Allen was grabbed out of the air by Spurs guard Manu Ginobili on a fast-break drive to the basket, and Hollins said it didn’t matter if Allen hit his head.

“They reviewed it, they still called it a flagrant,” Hollins said. “Flopping is not a part of the game and shouldn’t be a part of the game. That’s why we have rules in place. There’s probably a few more that could be called on a lot of people that are still in the playoffs.”

The Spurs won 93-89 in overtime and lead the series 2-0.

Still, Allen’s reaction after hitting the court with 26.1 seconds left in regulation has been turned into a variety of videos, playing off his reaction rolling around in pain and grabbing at the back of his head. Allen even touched the back of his head as he went to the free throw line.

“I almost wanted to laugh on the court but too tired and too focused on the game,” Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said.

Notes: Spurs guard Tony Parker said he stayed in his hotel Friday night and had dinner from room service. Chef Kelly English tweeted Friday night that Parker had been denied service at his 13-table restaurant, and the restaurant issued a statement Saturday pointing out that they honor reservations over celebrity status.