Heat’s Udonis Haslem called for controversial flagrant against Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough

Early in the second quarter of Game 5 of the Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers playoff series, Miami forward Udonis Haslem was called for a hard foul after dropping both arms across the head and shoulders of Indiana forward Tyler Hansbrough. On the TNT broadcast (see below) analyst Steve Kerr immediately says, “That might be a Flagrant 2.”

After the officials discussed the play, however, Haslem was only charged with a Flagrant 1, which does not include a mandatory ejection from the game. The perception, from Kerr and other NBA experts, is that Haslem got off easy, and that the league may yet suspend him from Game 6 of the series.

The league will take a look at that Haslem flagrant, as it does all. Winning here just became crucial for Miami, because he may get a game.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) May 23, 2012

Heat might get to keep Haslem around tonight but that sure looked like a flagrant 2 to me, possible G6 suspension?—
Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) May 23, 2012

Flagrant 1 or 2, Haslem isn't playing Game 6.—
Beckley Mason (@BeckleyMason) May 23, 2012

Haslem may have been retaliating against Hansbrough for a Flagrant 1 the Pacer committed a minute earlier.