There are some fans of the NBA who were outraged that Dwight Howard didn’t get ejected from Game 5 for his violent elbow attack on Samuel Dalembert’s face. Barely two minutes into Tuesday night’s game, Howard picked up a technical foul for the following behavior;
The referees blew the call. They should have assessed a Flagrant-Two to Howard and ejected him. But they let him stay with the technical foul, and his 24 point/20 rebound night helped lead Orlando to the win and a 3-2 series lead.
The following morning, NBA suspended him for Game 6.
Philadelphia fans were especially incensed at the referee’s decision. Ejecting Howard would have opened up Game 5 more, and given the Sixers a better chance. Without Howard, Philly had a much better shot at winning Game 5, and would have had the opportunity to close it out at home. But now, the Sixers will still have to win tonight, and win Game 7 in Orlando with a reinstated Howard.
But, what if they had ejected Howard????
Later in that same game, starting Orlando guard Courtney Lee was also hit by Howard’s elbow on a rebound attempt. Lee had to leave the game and didn’t return.
No Howard, no injury to Lee….Courtney would have been fine.
Karma’s a bitch, Magic fans. Lee may be done for the year.
Starting guard Courtney Lee is expected to have surgery on his fractured sinus and could miss the remainder of the playoffs for the Orlando Magic.
The Magic said Thursday that Lee will be out for the rest of the team’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic lead the Sixers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Thursday night.
Lee suffered the injury after taking an inadvertent elbow to the head from teammate Dwight Howard in Game 5 on Tuesday night. The recovery time is at least a week depending on the outcome of Thursday’s surgery.
This should be interesting.
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