J.J. Barea may have body checked Ray Allen to the ground, but it wasn’t done in a “unnecessary and excessive” way. At least if you ask the league. Allen may feel differently.
Barea’s foul on Allen was downgraded from a flagrant 2 to a flagrant 1 by the league — that means there will be no fine or suspension for the play. Barea was ejected for the hit above after it was reviewed by referees, if they had ruled it a flagrant 1 he would have been allowed to stay in the game.
On the other hand, Serge Ibaka’s foul on Blake Griffin was upgraded from a flagrant 1 to a flagrant 2, but he was fined $25,000 and not suspended.
If you’re wondering, here is how the league defines these fouls:
Flagrant 1 — unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession.
Flagrant 2 — unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession and the player committing the foul is automatically ejected.
I don’t really have a problem with this move by the league — Berea clearly fouled hard but there doesn’t seem to be an intent to injure here.