Forward Lamar Odom of Los Angeles Lakers was suspended for one game Tuesday by the league without pay for committing a flagrant foul on Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen at Staples Center.
After Odom's shot was blocked by Kevin Garnett, Odom appeared to throw his body into Allen while the two battled for a ball near the sideline with 2:57 to play in the Lakers' 110-91 loss. Allen was called for a technical foul on the play for moving menacingly toward Odom after the collision.
Odom, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the one-sided loss to Boston, said afterward he was going for the ball. The league and Allen disagreed.
Odom will miss Friday's game against Philadelphia and will be fined 120,411 U.S. dollars.
"I don't know what Odom was thinking," Allen told reporters. "I got the rebound and he tackled me. I know this is Sunday, but this is the wrong field."
It was easy to hear Kobe Bryant's admiration for the Celtics after the Lakers' loss.
"Defense wins titles," he said. "I think they understand that and they have a great deal of veterans over there who are all hungry for that. That's what they play for."
Lakers spokesman John Black expressed his disappointment and said, "We're going to be missing one of our best players for Friday's game, but the league made its decision and we will accept it, even if we disagree with it."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said,“I just thought he (Odom) lost his composure. I didn’t think it was intended at Ray. It wasn’t anything personal. Odom’s a good kid, a good guy.”
The Lakers did not practice Monday or Tuesday. It was unclear who would start in Odom's place against the 76ers (14-17).
Source: Xinhua/Agencies
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