New York ? Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest was suspended for four games Wednesday for his run-in with Heat coach Pat Riley and flashing an obscene gesture toward the crowd.

The suspension, announced by Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations, will cost Artest about $84,000 in pay.

The suspension was the second of the season for Artest. He missed three games for hurling a TV monitor and smashing a $100,000 camera in New York. He also was fined $10,000 for shoving Dallas’ Raja Bell.

In the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 102-95 win against the Heat, Artest scored, was fouled and flexed his right arm muscles as he walked toward the Miami bench.

He and Heat assistant coach Keith Askins exchanged words, then Artest brushed against Riley. They began shouting at each other, and the Miami coach shoved Artest away.

Artest was called for a technical. After Miami’s Eddie Jones missed the free throw, Artest hit his free throw and backpedaled, holding aloft the index finger of his right hand and the middle finger of his left hand.

Riley hopes the latest suspension sends Artest a message.

“The only thing that I was upset with two nights ago was the hit on Caron (Butler). The other stuff is just foolish behavior,” Riley said Wednesday. “But I’d like to have two or three Ron Artests myself, know what I’m saying? He’s a hell of a player, a very competitive player, and maybe this sort of gets him to focus a little bit more on what he has to do.”

Webber out three weeks

Sacramento, Calif. — Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber will miss at least three weeks because of a sprained left ankle, the same injury that sidelined him for the first 20 games last season. The injury will force him to miss the NBA All-Star game Feb. 9 in Atlanta.

Utah’s Sloan suspended

New York — Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was suspended for seven games by the NBA on Wednesday for shoving an official. Sloan pushed referee Courtney Kirkland in the chest and was ejected Tuesday during the first quarter of Utah’s 102-92 victory at Sacramento.

Cavaliers activate Hill

Cleveland — The Cavaliers activated forward Tyrone Hill from the injured list Wednesday after he missed five games because of a bruised right hand.

Pierce included in hoopla

New York — All-Stars Paul Pierce, a former Kansas University player, and Shawn Marion will team with two WNBA players to give a fan a chance to win $1 million. One fan — randomly selected from a nationwide sweepstakes — is assigned to each team. The fan with the winning team will receive $50,000 and the option of shooting from one of three spots on the court for a bonus: a free throw worth $50,000, a three-pointer worth $100,000 or a half-court shot worth $1 million.

Ginobili replaces Yao

New York — San Antonio Spurs guard Emanuel Ginobili will replace Houston Rockets center Yao Ming in the Rookie Challenge game Feb. 8. Yao won’t play in the rookie game because he was chosen in fan voting to start for the Western Conference in the All-Star game Feb. 9 in Atlanta.