Jimmy Butler, Thomas Bryant, Alvarado, More Suspended for Heat-Pelicans Fight

The on-court scuffle involving Jimmy Butler and Naji Marshall overshadowed the Miami Heat's 106-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, and the NBA announced the penalties for the incident Sunday.

Butler and Marshall were each suspended one game without pay for "instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation," while Miami's Thomas Bryant and New Orleans' Jose Alvarado were suspended three games for leaving the bench area.

Miami's Nikola Jović was also suspended one game for leaving the bench.

It all started in the fourth quarter when Kevin Love grabbed Zion Williamson to prevent an easy basket after the Pelicans star stole the ball from Butler. Williamson went to the ground, but Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said not everyone understood what happened.

"It was just, I think, a misunderstanding of the play," Spoelstra told reporters. "I think Zion slipped on the play when K-Love grabbed him and it looked a lot worse than what it was. And then everybody kind of overreacted.

"On K-Love's best day, I don't think he could throw (Williamson) down."

Butler, Bryant, Marshall and Alvarado were all ejected.

Even with Butler sidelined following the ejection, the Heat seized control down the stretch with an 11-0 run. It was their third win in a row and fifth in their last six games, which improved their record to 31-25.

New Orleans will be without Marshall and Alvarado for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bulls, while Miami will be without Butler, Bryant and Jović for Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings.

The Heat and Pelicans play again on March 22 in a rematch in New Orleans.