Rodman, Mourning Ante Up

Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat were fined $5,000 each Wednesday by the NBA for their fourth-quarter scuffle during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Mourning and Rodman became entangled with 8:14 to play in Miami’s 87-80 victory Monday and tumbled to the floor. Replays showed Mourning tapping Rodman on the head before Heat coach Pat Riley separated the players.

A double technical was called, extending Rodman’s streak of technical fouls in every one of the Bulls’ playoff games.

The league fines, the third this season for Rodman and second for Mourning, were assessed by Rod Thorn, the NBA’s senior vice president for basketball operations.

Rodman has been penalized about $1 million this season as a result of fines, suspensions and lost incentives.

Nuggets expected to hire Hanzlik

Atlanta Hawks assistant Bill Hanzlik reportedly has accepted the Denver Nuggets’ offer to be their coach.

The Nuggets scheduled a news conference for today to introduce a new coach, but didn’t say who they picked.

Both KCNC and KUSA said Tuesday night that sources told them Hanzlik is the new Nuggets coach.

Last Thursday, Hanzlik said he had been offered the job and the only sticking point was working out a contract. Hanzlik said he wants at least a three-year deal before stepping into the shaky situation in Denver. The Nuggets were 21-61 last season.