New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest was fined $20,000 by the NBA on Thursday for making an obscene gesture to the crowd at Gund Arena in Cleveland. Artest had just been hit with a coin thrown from the stands when he made the gesture.

Artest, among the top defensive players in the league, avoided suspension for the sixth time this season. The 6'7" guard/forward is averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.26 steals in 62 games for the Pacers this season.

He has already missed a total 12 games because of suspensions for behavior and flagrant fouls.

Midway through the fourth quarter of Indiana's 103-82 win over the Cavaliers, Artest was called for a technical foul for pushing Ricky Davis out of bounds. Artest continued to argue the call and shoved teammate and peacemaker Austin Croshere. Artest then knocked away Indiana coach Isiah Thomas' arm.

On Indiana's next possession, Cavaliers forward Jumaine Jones was hit with a technical and ejected. As Jones was leaving the court, Artest was struck by a coin and he extended both middle fingers and waved them at the crowd.

Artest's last suspension was March 20, when he was barred for two games for a flagrant foul five seconds into a game against the Celtics.

In early January, Artest was suspended three games and fined $35,000 for throwing a television monitor and smashing a camera after a loss to the Knicks.