Noah did not agree with a foul call in third quarter and reacted violently, screaming profanities at officials all the way into the tunnel. He was ushered away by teammates and Bulls employees, but he went away pointing and screaming.

This is the first fine of NBA commissioner Adam Silver's tenure. While Rod Thorn, president of basketball operations, announced the fine, Silver has now officially taken over for David Stern. You've made history, Noah.


PAUL RETURN?


Chris Paul (separated shoulder) could return for the Clippers' Friday game against the Raptors, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The All-Star point guard has been out for 16 games with the injury. He has worked out in private during that time and did shooting and running drills. Paul has yet to practice with the team, however.

"He hasn't had any contact," coach Doc Rivers said. "But I would say hopefully by the end of the week, I'm assuming he will be. I doubt if we practice. That's the problem … But we can always do three-on-three stuff."

As the Times noted, Rivers knows that Paul is a pretty good player and doesn't need to practice much before returning to action.


WHAT'S THE BEEF?


If you can believe it, DeMarcus Cousins and Mike Dunleavy have a beef.

Now, Cousins could pick a beef with just about anyone, but it appears that Dunleavy is an active participant as well. In fact, Dunleavy angered Cousins so much that when the Kings center was asked about him, the immediate response was, "He's a clown"

“And he’s scared," Cousins continued. "I wouldn’t even waste my time if I ever saw him outside of the gym. He’s a clown.”



If this catches you off guard, it shouldn't. Apparently, these two have quite the history.

There was a bit of action in this game, as Joakim Noah also was ejected for his epic flameout (see above).


T-MAC WANTS TO BE LIKE MIKE


Tracy McGrady wants to follow Michael Jordan's path to the national pastime.

The retired seven-time NBA All-Star is aiming to become a baseball player, and plans to try pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. That's the same team that Roger Clemens pitched for a couple of years ago.

Jordan famously played in the White Sox organization in 1994 during his first retirement from basketball, reaching the Double-A level.

A statement from the Skeeters says that it is a "lifelong dream" of McGrady's to play baseball.

The 34-year-old McGrady played for several teams, including the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic. He last played in the NBA in the 2011-12 season.

The Skeeters last made national headlines when Clemens pitched two games for them in 2012 at age 50.


SPOELSTRA SAW IT


Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wasn't surprised by how well the Seahawks played in the Super Bowl, because he witnessed a preview in August.

Spoelstra was a guest during training camp at Seahawks headquarters, where he sat in on meetings, spoke to the team and watched practice.

"The speed, the quickness, the power you saw from that team Sunday night, I saw that in training camp," Spoelstra said Monday. "My hat's off to them. It's not easy to win a championship in any sport."

Spoelstra, who has led the Heat to back-to-back NBA titles, said he traded text messages Monday with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and congratulated him for Seattle's 43-8 victory over Denver.

Spoelstra said he found his visit to Seahawks camp inspiring.

"I went up there just to learn and try to take something from them, something I could learn myself from a coach who I think is really a unique coach — his personality, the way he coaches the game, his mind. He's creative," Spoelstra said. "His energy for somebody his age — when I saw him out there, I was like, 'If he can bring that, I can bring more.'"

Carroll is 62, Spoelstra 43.

Spoelstra said the Seahawks have a basketball hoop in a team meetings room that came into play during his visit.

"I was writing notes down, and coach called me up, and we ended up playing PIG in front of the whole group," Spoelstra said. When asked if he won, Spoelstra said yes.

He said the Seahawks have an open invitation to visit the Heat.

Contributors: DeAntae Prince, The Associated Press