We’re still in preseason, but tempers in the NBA can still hit full throttle at any given moment. In today’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, it wasn’t even the second quarter of play before shit got real on the court.
On a routine play, JR Smith got tangled up with Aron Baynes down low, as he was trying to box out for the rebound. JR’s arm ended up under Bayne’s and the momentum flung him across and over him, which caused Smith to react. As soon as he gave him a hard push, Marcus Smart came flying with another push from behind and things got out of control.
JR pushed a ref, Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier tackled Smart and players from both sides had to calm shit down before it got worse.
Ultimately, Marcus got ejected from the game and JR waved him goodbye with his own technical foul on the play. Smith and Baynes both assessed personal fouls.
It’ll be interesting to see how this Eastern Conference Finals rematch goes down in the season with tension high like this, but Quicken Loans Arena got a comedic altercation to start the game. The Cavs ended up winning 113-102.
Shoutout to JR for the entertainment though.
Meet me on street damn the back!! https://t.co/oP2jsVcyUc
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) October 7, 2018