Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Was Dana White in attendance last night?

It certainly appeared that Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough was auditioning for a possible spot on the UFC roster.

With 7:53 seconds left in the fourth quarter of a tightly contested game between the Pacers and visiting Toronto Raptors, Hansbrough and Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas got tangled up under the net fighting for positioning.

In a takedown that would have even impressed the likes of current UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, Tyler then proceeded to throw Jonas to the ground, causing the rookie to land awkwardly on his previously injured hand/finger.

It appeared that Valanciunas was preparing himself to leap for the ball for a potential offensive rebound. His eyes were at the rim the entire time, which gave Hansbrough the perfect opportunity to pull off one of the more thuggish, dirty plays you will see in the league this year.

Jonas eventually returned to the game, finishing the night with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds as the Raptors ended the Pacers 15-game winning streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a 100-98 comeback OT victory.

I was able to witness this particular play live last night, and I was left completely baffled when the game continued and no foul was called.

You have two players crashing to the hardwood (one in an extremely violent manner) and you can’t blow the whistle?

Are you serious, bro?

Are you serious, “brough”?

I fully expect the league to take a look at this sequence with Hansbrough and Valanciunas and come down hard on Tyler, whether it be with a large fine or one to two game suspension.

He deserves to be punished. This wasn’t a basketball play.

Moves like this belong in the octagon or squared circle.

Not in the National Basketball Association.

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports

The Toronto Raptors (17-30), who spent most of Friday night putting a beating on the Los Angeles Clippers (34-14) in an eventual 98-73 victory, were ready to run out the clock and celebrate their much-needed win with the fans at the ACC.

Rookie Jonas Valanciunas (three rebounds, two turnovers, five fouls) brought the ball to midcourt and stopped his dribble, all the while being approached by Clippers forward Caron Butler (12 points, 3 for 12 shooting, 8 rebounds), who offered up a congratulatory handshake.

As Jonas dropped his guard, Butler snatched the ball out of his hands and ran towards the basket, before being eventually caught with a clear-path foul.

The Clippers were trailing by 27 points at the time. One more basket wouldn’t have made a lick of difference.

FAIR OR FOUL?

You can look at this scenario in one of two ways.

You can shrug it off as a humorous, yet completely inconsequential play that meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things, or you can villainize Butler for his unsportsmanlike conduct and devious behaviour.

I’ll go with the latter.

FOUL!

It was a stupid, classless move on the part of Butler.

It’s one thing to offer a handshake for a well-played game and then walk away, but it’s another to offer congratulations and then swipe the ball from the opposing team like, dare I say, a punk.

Look, I understand that as long as there is time on the clock, you shouldn’t quit on the game, but with so little time remaining and the result no longer in question, why not just leave well enough alone and take the loss like a man?

Toronto was being respectful by not going for a last-second shot to reach 100 points (when the Raptors score 100, fans in attendance can redeem their ticket stubs for free pizza the following day).

Did an extra few points make Butler happy?

Was it worth it?

Of course not. The Clippers still got their backsides handed to them.

A worthless steal and extra bucket won’t change that.

Think before you act, Mr. Butler.

As for Jonas Valanciunas, perhaps he won’t be so trusting with opposing players next time.

Lesson learned, rookie.

TWITTER REACTION

caron butler…that isn’t the true spirit of dap, man.

— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) February 2, 2013

Caron Butler…..seriously ?

— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) February 2, 2013

Dear Jonas Valanciunas, next time the complete jackass Caron Butler goes to the rim, you know what to do. #flagrant8foul

— Paul Constantakis (@pconstantakis) February 2, 2013

BREAKING: Greg Schiano has offered Caron Butler a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season.

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) February 2, 2013

Chris Walder is the Editor here at Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports