Pippen Jr. and Gardner Tossed After On-Court Scuffle in Miami
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner were thrown out of Saturday’s game at Kaseya Center after a brief fourth-quarter altercation that disrupted the Heat’s eventual victory.
The incident began while the pair battled for rebounding position on a Simone Fontecchio three-pointer. Gardner used his shoulder to gain inside leverage, then leapt for an offensive board. As he landed, Pippen grabbed him and pulled him to the floor.
With Gardner trailing the play, Memphis pushed the ball in transition and Pippen knocked down an open three. While backpedaling, he was bumped from behind by Gardner and fell. Pippen rose, walked to the opposite corner where Gardner stood, pointed at him and delivered a shove. Both players tumbled near the baseline before teammates and coaches stepped in to separate them. Officials assessed double ejections for fighting.
“I thought it was kind of a cheap shot,” Pippen told reporters afterward. “He hit me when I didn’t see him. I don’t think any punches were thrown—it was more like a hug. I got ejected; I think it should be left at that, but we’ll see.” He added that he does not expect to be suspended.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra backed Gardner, a rookie who recently signed a three-year standard contract. “His greatest strength is this unbridled intensity,” Spoelstra said. “You add that type of intensity to this competitive will that will boil over at times. I don’t want to take away from that competitiveness.” The coach said he had not reviewed the initial rebounding play but believed the subsequent contact was “95 percent Pippen.”
Both teams await possible disciplinary action from the league.
Source: Hoops Rumors
