During the first quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game, Cavs shooting guard J.R. Smith received a technical foul for his involvement in an on-court altercation with Celtics guard Marcus Smart. As a result, the two players have been hit with fines from the NBA.
The incident between Smith and Smart occurred with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter of Cleveland’s 113-102 victory. Smith was caught in a mismatched defensive set with Celtics big man Aron Baynes on the low block. As the two players jockeyed for position, their arms became interlocked. After Celtics point guard Terry Rozier knocked knocked down a fall-away jumper, Baynes pulled Smith all the way around his body with an awkward arm bar move.
Smith, who wasn’t injured in the wrestling match with Baynes, instantly retaliated with a shove. Smart saw the action unfolding and couldn’t contain his emotions. In fact, Smart sprinted from the opposite end of the floor just to push Smith in the back.
An old-fashioned NBA brawl nearly broke out, but all parties involved were restrained.
Smith spoke to reporters following Saturday night’s game with regards to his on-court scuffle with the Celtics.
“He swung me extra,” Smith said of Baynes during his postgame media availability. “A little too much — twice. (The refs) still called a double foul, which was awkward. I was frustrated with the situation. He was clearly frustrated, so I pushed him.
“I’m not gonna sit here and lose money over trying to fight Marcus Smart,” Smith added. “I’m not gonna lose money over my tattoos, so why would I lose money over him?”
Smith and the Cavs will be back in action on Monday night, when they’ll welcome the Indiana Pacers to Quicken Loans Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET with Fox Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage.
