New York (54-24) not only won the game, but got the best of Miami in the near brawl that broke out with 10:16 left.

The near brawl at the end of the game also put a damper on an otherwise great series.

Yesterday's staredown at the final press conference resulted in a near brawl when Diaz flipped Cerrone's cowboy hat from his head.

Nate Robinson inspired a standing ovation and a near brawl, pressing his 5-foot-9 frame to its physical limits and the Nets to distraction.

Less than a week after mocking Mourning's kidney ailment during a near brawl in practice, Martin had 14 rebounds and a season-high 27 points.

For the Nets, a near brawl at practice and a sudden retirement are enough to shake them to the core.

The dancing across the ceiling footloops had degenerated into a near brawl, where young Shapers, screaming with laughter, struggled to shove one another off the crowded dance rig.

The game included five hit-batsmen and a near brawl.

Torre, the Yankees' manager, was serving a one-game suspension stemming from a near brawl in Boston last Sunday, and he was not at the Skydome for the game.

As usual, they parted as enemies, with a near brawl in the eighth inning.