Early in the third quarter of the Cavs blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets, coach J.B. Bickerstaff picked up two quick technical fouls and was ejected. With his team already trailing 72-55 early in the third quarter, Cavs’ Cedi Osman was called for a blocking foul. That’s when the fun really started, as Bickerstaff went berserk.
Immediately after the blocking call, Bickerstaff got up to complain. He was immediately given a technical. Bickerstaff did not relent and continued to argue, earning him his second technical foul. The Cavs coach proceeded to go into a profanity laced rant directed at the referee.
“That’s bull****, that’s bull****, that’s fu%$ing bull****,” Bickerstaff hurled. It was the first time in the Cavs’ coaching career that has been ejected.
The game was never really in doubt after that as the Hornets built a bigger lead and never looked back.
After playing well for so much of the season, Cleveland has hit a speed bump. Wednesday was their fifth loss in the last six games, dropping them to 36-26 on the season. They are still within striking distance of the Chicago Bulls in the Central Division standings, sitting only three games back. The Milwaukee Bucks are between the two teams as well.
In the loss, All-Star point guard Darius Garland continued his excellent shooting. He led all scorers with 33 points on 13 for 22 shooting. Garland also knocked down five triples but turned the ball over seven times.
Cleveland will look to right the ship Friday night as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the new-look Sixers.