If Tuesday’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics was an old-school Pistons-Bulls matchup, the events likely would have unfolded differently.
The game held several angles of contempt — with Kevin Love finally coming face-to-face with Kelly Olynyk for the first time since Olynyk dislocated Love’s shoulder.
Or J.R. Smith — who’s flagrant foul on Jae Crowder, left the Celtics forward grounded in pain after he sprained his left ACL.
Crowder said he hoped Smith would apologize, while the Cavs guard told ESPN.com, that Jae would be waiting a while for that sorry.
“He might want to wait on that,” Smith said after scoring seven of his nine points after halftime as Cleveland came back from a six-point deficit at the break. “He can hold his breath, though. I’ll give it to him sooner or later.”
Asked why — Smith said he didn’t hurt Crowder on purpose.
“Because it wasn’t intentional how they try to make it seem,” Smith said. “If you play chippy, chippy things are going to happen. It is what it is. It’s pretty ballsy to ask for an apology from another man. I respect it.”
The Celtics and Cavaliers meet again in Cleveland on Feb. 5.
"He can hold his breath for it, I'll give it to him sooner or later."-@TheRealJRSmith on Crowder's requested apology https://t.co/846kZVCvjm
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) December 16, 2015