Josh McRoberts fined for hard hit to LeBron James' neck

Mess with the "King," lose a check.

Charlotte Bobcats forward Josh McRoberts was fined $20,000 for his hard hit to the neck of Miami Heat forward LeBron James, and the initial ruling of a personal foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 foul. The league announced the ruling Thursday afternoon.

The play came with 50 seconds remaining in the No. 2 seed Heat's 101-97 Game 2 victory Wednesday, which put Miami up 2-0 as the first-round playoff series heads to Charlotte. McRoberts, a 6-10, 240-pound power forward, put his forearm into the four-time NBA MVP's neck on a layup attempt, sending both flailing to the ground.

McRoberts drew criticism but only picked up a personal foul, sending James to the line after he rolled over grasping his neck in pain. James missed the first free throw but made the second, making the score 98-94.

James had 32 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals in the victory. McRoberts had eight points, four assists and five fouls, but Charlotte was plus 14 with him on the court.

Game 3 of the series is Saturday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).