The Orlando Magic will be without point guard Rafer Alston, who will serve a one-game suspension Friday night for slapping Eddie House in the back of the head during in Game 2 Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics. The NBA is expected to make the official announcement later Thursday. The Magic will move veteran backup Anthony Johnson into the starting lineup.The Magic have been without shooting guard Courtney Lee through the first two games of the series, but he is expected to return for Game 3. The series is tied at 1-1. Lee has been out since Game 5 of the Magic's opening round series against Philadelphia when he was elbowed in the face by teammate Dwight Howard. Lee had surgery to repair a fractured sinus cavity. He will play Friday with a custom fitted face mask.
More Coverage: Derek Fisher Also Suspended
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2009 @ 11:29PM
Janice said...
OK, so Rondo can rake his nails across the face of Brad Miller and gets nothing, not even a flagrant foul point. The very next game, he grabs Heinrich's jersey and spins him hard into the scorer's table and nothing. But a little forearm by the Magic and suddendly the NBA suspends their player? Gee, do you think that Stern wants the Celtics to repeat?
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5-08-2009 @ 8:46AM
Rich Cantwell said...
Janice, you are missing the BIG picture here. The NBA/Stern will have Cavs. v. Lakers in the finals. However, Celts v. Cavs is the East dream match-up for Stern.
5-08-2009 @ 1:53PM
Glenn20 said...
How do you figure? Rondo's play on Miller was for one intent only -- to stop a basket. He wishes that he had a better angle to get some part of the body other than the face. He didn't go rushing over from his position with a plan to slap Miller in the face.
In the next game, he was being shoved up the floor by Hinrich (probably being baited as a carryover from the previous incident). He overreacted when he pulled Hinrich's arm, and it was the right call to give him a flagrant foul. But it's not like he had some pre-meditated INTENT in either case.
Both incidents were part of the game play. What did Alston's slap have to do with playing the game?
INTENT is a key factor when considering suspensions.
5-08-2009 @ 5:33AM
obamaizadope said...
That Rafer bitch slap is hilarious. House had to retaliate, and he didn't.
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5-08-2009 @ 10:54AM
darktico said...
Haaaaaa. Eddie House is Rafer's beyotch
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5-08-2009 @ 4:24PM
its ace said...
eddy house is not rafers bitch haha.. Eddy house didnt do anything cuz hes an athelete. why would he retaliate and get suspended? hes not stupid like alston is lol