NBA Wire Notes | Morrison fined for gesture

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Bobcats forward Adam Morrison was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making an obscene gesture to a fan during a game in Miami.

Morrison, the former Gonzaga All-American, made the gesture while sitting on the bench late in overtime during Charlotte's 111-103 win over the Heat on Sunday. Morrison did not play in the game because of a sprained knee, the first game he missed this season.

Morrison said he was being heckled throughout the game.

"I've got to learn to take it, I guess, but I think the guy went over the edge a little bit, calling me 'white trash' over and over again," said Morrison, who also sat out Tuesday's game against Miami. "I reacted naturally and I made a mistake. I hurt the organization and the team. I'm sorry about it and it will never happen again."

Morrison, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, is averaging 11.9 points and is shooting 38 percent from the field this season. Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said he's still learning how to react to hostile crowds.

Posey plays; Payton out

Miami forward James Posey was on the active roster but not in the starting lineup for the Heat's game against Charlotte, one day after he was arrested and charged with DUI in Miami Beach.

Heat coach Pat Riley said after gathering facts on the incident, he decided to let the case go through the legal system before handing down any suspension.

"Based on how all the facts came back to us, our conversations with the league and NBA security, we'll support our player until there's due process," Riley said. "That's what this is about."

Meanwhile, Heat guard Gary Payton will miss about two weeks with a torn left calf muscle.

A team spokesman said Payton, 38, was injured early in practice Monday. He will not need surgery.

Payton did not travel to Charlotte.

Also, Payton, Sam Cassell and Jason Caffey, who were cleared in February of assaulting a male exotic dancer and his fiance outside a downtown Toronto strip club are now being sued for $18 million in damages.