Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol was called for a technical foul during Wednesday night's NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder for bumping the basketball in Russell Westbrook's face.
As Westbrook made a basket by shooting over Gasol, the basket bounced off Westbrook's own face into Gasol's hands. Gasol took the basketball and bumped it off Westbrook's nose, almost as if to rub Westbrook's nose in it. Clearly unnecessary, and the technical foul was deserved.
Things got chippy later in the game, as Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins were given double technicals and ejected from the game after jawing at each other during a Thunder free throw attempt. The NBA is investigating whether the confrontation may have spilled over into an altercation between Randolph and Perkins in a hallway outside the locker rooms.
In the end, however, the Grizzlies won the game 107-97, so Gasol and Randolph got the last laugh...for now. The Grizzlies and Thunder face off again January 31st in Oklahoma City.
Related: Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins ejected after verbal confrontation (Video)
As Westbrook made a basket by shooting over Gasol, the basket bounced off Westbrook's own face into Gasol's hands. Gasol took the basketball and bumped it off Westbrook's nose, almost as if to rub Westbrook's nose in it. Clearly unnecessary, and the technical foul was deserved.
Things got chippy later in the game, as Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins were given double technicals and ejected from the game after jawing at each other during a Thunder free throw attempt. The NBA is investigating whether the confrontation may have spilled over into an altercation between Randolph and Perkins in a hallway outside the locker rooms.
In the end, however, the Grizzlies won the game 107-97, so Gasol and Randolph got the last laugh...for now. The Grizzlies and Thunder face off again January 31st in Oklahoma City.
Related: Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins ejected after verbal confrontation (Video)
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
