NBA reviewing if jump-on-back foul should be flagrant

NEW YORK - The NBA is reviewing whether the act of jumping on a player's back to intentionally foul him should be interpreted as a flagrant foul.

Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond have both been subjected to the act, when a player jumped on their backs to send the poor free throw shooters to the line. They are frequently fouled intentionally away from the ball, along with the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan, because they are among the league's worst free throw shooters.

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters Sunday that a memo from the NBA said that act would now be ruled as a flagrant 1 foul. But a league spokesman says there has been no rule change, only that league officials are discussing how the play should be interpreted.

If it became a flagrant 1, the team that was fouled would keep possession after the two free throws.

- with files from theScore