The play took place in the first quarter of Denver's Game 1 win over Dallas. Martin's hard foul knocked Nowitzki to the floor on a baseline drive to the basket. Martin was assessed a technical foul. The NBA upgraded the infraction Monday to a flagrant foul and rescinded the technical foul.

But the biggest point of contention among the Nuggets is the fine.

"There were certain instances and plays in other games in the playoffs; it doesn't seem consistent," Nuggets vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman said. "None of those others have been fined. None of the flagrants. That, to me, is somewhat puzzling."

Martin did not speak with reporters Monday. The fine was announced after the Nuggets' media session.

After Sunday's game Martin said he didn't think his foul should have drawn a technical.

"I don't think it was tech-worthy, but it happens," Martin said. "You can't do nothing about it. It was just a foul."

Chapman spoke with Martin on Monday and said Martin "disagrees with it. But Kenyon's a pro. No doubt he plays the game one way, and that's all out."

Chapman also said the foul looked worse than it was because Nowitzki staggered around.

"I think the specific play that Kenyon is being punished for, and we're being punished for, I think it's kind of exacerbated somewhat because Dirk is off-

balance," Chapman said. "And he's off-

balance a lot. I said earlier, he's a very good actor, and that's part of the game. I get it. But had he been on better balance, it maybe wouldn't have looked as flagrant as it looked."

Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com