Lance Stephenson's petty layup prompts NBA scuffle

April 5 (UPI) -- The Indianapolis Pacers were already up 105-90 on the Toronto Raptors with 0:03 remaining Tuesday when Lance Stephenson started a fight.

Stephenson rejoined the Pacers last week after spending 12 games with the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves this season.

On Tuesday, the Pacers were up 15 points when it got a defensive rebound on a late Raptors possession. Stephenson received a chest pass and took off down the court, despite the Raptors obviously not playing defense. Instead of just holding up and letting the clock run out, the shooting guard went in for a layup.

DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors then rushed up to Stephenson at half court and started a big dustup.

Stephenson, 26, has a resume full of incidents like this. He has spent his seven-year NBA career on six different teams.

"Nobody cares about his reputation," Raptors' P.J. Tucker told reporters after the game. "I could care less. I don't even know who he is. He is happy he just got back in the league. I don't know what he is so hyped about. It don't matter. There is a way to win and a way to lose. That ain't the way you win."

"It's classless, period."

The long-time Pacers personality received a standing ovation when he checked in to the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"I just want to say sorry to him," Stephenson told reporters after the game. "I didn't mean no harm. The crowd was chanting me on and I just wanted to do it for the fans. I just wanted to say sorry and I didn't mean no hard feelings."

The Pacers won the contest 108-90. Paul George led all scorers with 35 points, while Stephenson chipped in 12 points and three assists.