As a result to a last minute scuffle during a game between the Heat and the Raptors, the NBA has fined both DeMar DeRozan ($25K) and Goran Dragic ($10k) for their roles in a heated altercation after the Heat's win on Monday night, according to Sam Amick of USA Today.
NBA comes down with Miami-Toronto verdict: one games suspensions for Ibaka and Johnson, $25k for DeRozan and $10k for Dragic
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 10, 2018
After speaking to reporters, DeRozan was confused about the whole incident.
“He must have thought I was trying to hit him or something after I shot the (final) shot, but I don’t know. I didn’t have no problem with it at first until he looked at me, so who knows? That’s a question you probably gotta ask him.”
The scuffle marks just one of the bizarre events that happened in the physical game. Additionally, Serge Ibaka and James Johnson threw punches at one another during a physical play, and have both been suspended today for their actions. Head coach Erik Spoelstra, according to AJ Neuharth-Keusch of USA Today, cited the reason for the heated incidents because of both teams' desire to win the regular season match-up.
“It felt, I wouldn't say necessarily like a playoff game, but it certainly felt like there was something at stake from the very tip. That's the way it should be in this league. Regular season games should have meaning. Both teams always should be playing for something, and that's what you saw tonight. There was a physicality, an edge to the game.”
The Raptors will be without both of their starters, Lowry and Ibaka, with the former being out with a back injury. These incidents have taken a toll on both teams, mainly since valuable players will be unavailable for at least a game. Hopefully, both teams can bounce back.
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