It started on the eve of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals, with what appeared to be an attempt at a preemptive strike by Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel.

Now, for the second year in a row, one of Vogel's players has had to pay up.

The NBA flop police wasted no time catching up with Pacers guard Lance Stephenson, fining him $5,000 Wednesday for violating the league's anti-flopping rules during Tuesday night's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

-- Miami Herald