NBA makes fine point: $25K for Baby

The NBA fined Glen Davis $25,000 yesterday for his outburst Wednesday night against the Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., where the forward responded to a heckler with an obscene phrase so loud it could be heard on both the Celtics [team stats]’ television and radio broadcasts.

Co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, openly critical of Davis last September when he broke his right thumb during a fight with an associate, chose to keep his comments closer to the vest yesterday.

“The NBA will be fining the player,” Grousbeck said via text message. “We will keep our discussions with him in-house.”

The NBA assessed the fine for “directing inappropriate language toward a fan.”

Allen Iverson [stats] was the last player fined for this infraction, incurring a $25,000 penalty for an incident Dec. 16, 2008, while with the Pistons.

The fan Wednesday, who identified himself as Scott Zack, filed a complaint with NBA security.

Davis declined comment after the game but later posted his regrets on Twitter.

It has been an expensive week for Celtics.

Forward Rasheed Wallace was fined $35,000 on Wednesday due to comments he made about officials following Monday’s loss to the Mavericks.

Garnett a Star

Kevin Garnett’s extended time on the sideline didn’t keep him from being named a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

The Celts forward was voted in through fan balloting for the Feb. 14 contest at Cowboys Stadium in Irving, Texas. It will be his 13th career All-Star Game, second-most behind only Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal among active players.

Garnett hasn’t played since Dec. 28 due to a hyperextended right knee but is expected to return tonight against Portland.

All-Star reserves, selected by the coaches in each conference, will be announced Thursday.

J.R. a Maine man

Forward J.R. Giddens became the third Celtic this season sent to the Maine Red Claws of the NBDL.

Giddens, sparingly used by coach Doc Rivers, clearly was in need of some action. The expected return of Garnett lessens the need for another player.

Giddens was one of the most explosive players in the NBDL last season, when he played for the Utah Flash - the Celtics [team stats]’ former affiliate.

Forward Bill Walker and rookie guard Lester Hudson also saw time with the Red Claws this season. The C’s eventually waived Hudson, who recently signed with Memphis.