Celtics guard Tony Allen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to aggravated battery charges stemming from a fight during the summer that escalated into a shooting outside a Chicago diner. He entered his plea to three counts of aggravated battery. Allen, who is free on $150,000 bond, is accused of punching a man in the face and breaking his left eye socket during an Aug. 29 fight at the White Palace Grill. Another man was shot in the left arm and left side, but police said Allen is not suspected in the shooting. Aggravated battery carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Anthony fined, Smith punished
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was fined $5,000 for throwing a basketball into the stands during Saturday’s game against the Heat. The ball hit a girl in the head, but she was not injured.
Anthony apologized to the girl, who was given Nuggets memorabilia after the game.
“As soon as the ball left my hand, I was like [expletive],” Anthony said. “I was already frustrated at that time. … I told [her] I was sorry, I was frustrated. She responded and said we all get frustrated at times.”
Meanwhile, Hawks forward Josh Smith was suspended for two games without pay for elbowing Suns guard Raja Bell in the head on Sunday.
Knicks add ex-Blazer Woods
The Knicks signed Qyntel Woods, filling the roster spot of Matt Barnes, who was waived Saturday. Woods, a 6-foot-8-inch swingman, played for the Heat and Trail Blazers over the last three seasons and averaged 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds. He was the 21st pick by the Blazers in the 2002 draft.
