Chris Broussard writes that Sprewell, upset about being suspended for one game and fined $125,000 for missing Sunday's morning shoot-around in Miami, argued his case for four days, and today he was rewarded for his doggedness.

James L. Dolan, the chairman of Madison Square Garden, reduced the fine by $122,500. Layden, the Knicks' president and general manager, and Coach Don Chaney gave Sprewell the news at today's season-ending meeting.

"They pretty much wiped it out, which I thought was fair, `' Sprewell said. "I'm just happy Mr. Dolan was able to do that for me."