Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard had his technical foul from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals rescinded by the NBA.

Howard was given his sixth technical of the playoffs for taunting Anderson Varejao after a layup in the third quarter of the Magic's 116-114 overtime victory Tuesday night. Cleveland's forward had draped his arms around Howard in a failed attempt to stop him from scoring.

The NBA announced it was rescinding the foul yesterday. Under league rules, Howard would have been automatically suspended for one game if he received a seventh technical during the playoffs.

The Magic lead the Cavaliers 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is tonight in Cleveland.

Howard and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy were baffled by the technical Tuesday, saying after the game that Howard had simply made a big basket and was enthusiastic in the moment.

"I wasn't taunting Varejao or anything," Howard said after the game. "It was a tough play. He grabbed me around the neck and I made the shot."

Howard already was suspended one game in the Magic's first-round series for his elbow on 76ers center Samuel Dalembert.

LAKERS

JACKSON FIRES BACK

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was unrepentant about being fined $25,000 by the NBA for his criticism of the referees following Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

"I didn't think very good of it at all," he said last night. "I thought I was very conciliatory, tried to soft-pedal my comments, but that's the league for you. They'll come back and hammer you."

The Lakers organization was also fined $25,000 Tuesday, the day after the team's 120-101 loss in Denver that evened the series.

"If it was a $10 fine it would still bother me," Jackson said. "Parking tickets still bother me."

Jackson was angry with the free throw discrepancy — Denver's 49 attempts were 14 more than the Lakers — and accused Dahntay Jones of being unsportsmanlike for tripping Kobe Bryant.

SIXERS

CASEY TALKS AGAIN

The Philadelphia 76ers have interviewed Dallas assistant Dwane Casey for a second time about their coaching position.

A person familiar with the decision confirmed the interview on condition of anonymity because an announcement has not been made.

The other known candidates are Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, and Sixers scout Chris Ford.