The Cleveland Cavaliers have suspended shooting guard J.R. Smith for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team, according to a team release. He is expected to miss tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Swingman Rodney Hood, who was acquired in a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings; will get the nod in his place, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
This suspension will cost Smith a total of $94,897 out of his pocket, but the team will not gain any tax relief for his suspension, given that it was a team suspension, not an NBA decision, per ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.
The fine money will be used at the discretion of the team at the end of the season. According to Marks, the fine money is often split among the basketball support staff and treated as a playoff bonus.
Smith has had a decent stretch in February, scoring in double figures in six of his 10 games — but recently has seen a slump, shooting a combined 4-of-22 from the field in the last three games, totaling only 11 points throughout the recent stretch.
With new players like Jordan Clarkson and Hood thriving in their role, this could be a key opportunity for coach Tyronn Lue to take a crack at giving them some extra minutes, especially against a playoff-caliber team like the young Sixers.
The Cavs have won five of their last seven games following the barrage of trades prior to the All-Star break, but are still within seven games of the East leaders Toronto Raptors and 6.5 away from their archrival Boston Celtics coming into tonight’s tilt.