Artest suspended for two games

Indianapolis — Pacers swingman Ron Artest was suspended by the NBA for the fifth time this season Thursday, getting a two-game ban for a flagrant foul five seconds into a game.

The latest penalty means Artest will have missed 11 games this season — 10 handed down by the NBA, one by his team.

This time, the league upheld a call on Artest early in Wednesday night’s game against Boston, which drew an automatic two-game suspension for exceeding the limit on flagrant-foul points.

Boston’s Paul Pierce went up for a layup after the opening tip and was slapped hard on the head from behind by Artest. As the referees signaled a flagrant foul, Artest stood impassively with his arm raised above his head.

It was the eighth flagrant foul called against Artest this season. He will be suspended two games for every flagrant foul for the rest of the season.

Brown says Iverson belongs in Olympics

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Philadelphia coach Larry Brown said Thursday that Allen Iverson belongs on the 2004 Olympic team.

“Of course he does,” Brown, who will also coach the Olympic team, said. “This is the best year he’s ever had and he’s getting better every game and he’s done all the right things. I’m pretty confident things will work out for him. There’s only been (five) names mentioned. I think he’s in pretty good shape the way he’s playing.”

Sacramento’s Mike Bibby was the latest player named to the team, an addition that drew critical and insulting comments from Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers. Ray Allen of Seattle, Jason Kidd of New Jersey, Tracy McGrady of Orlando, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan were the first four named to the team.

Stoudamire agrees to settle citation

Chehalis, Wash. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire agreed Thursday to attend drug and alcohol counseling and stay out of legal trouble for the next year to have marijuana charges against him dropped.

Stoudamire and teammate Rasheed Wallace were passengers in a vehicle that was stopped for speeding Nov. 22 on a highway outside Chehalis following a game against Seattle. A search turned up a small amount of marijuana, police said.

Stoudamire, Wallace and driver Ed Smith of Portland were cited and released. All three pleaded innocent to the charges, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and three months in jail.