Matthew Dellavedova is at the centre of controversy in game three of the NBA series between his Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Late in the second quarter the Australian point guard was floored by a screen set by Hawks’ Kent Bazemore and two minutes later when Dellavedova was fighting for a loose ball he became entangled with Al Horford.
They fell to the floor and Horford dropped an elbow towards Dellavedova’s head.
Horford, the Hawks’ centre and most important player, was hit with a flagrant two foul and ejected from the game.
Dellavedova was given a technical foul, but stayed on the court.
The incidents follow Dellavedova’s involvement in a season-ending leg injury to Atlanta’s All-Star shooter Kyle Korver when diving for the ball on the floor in game two of the series.
As well as provoking the Hawks with his aggressive play, Dellavedova has been the star for the Cavaliers, top-scoring in the first half with 14 points while LeBron James has 10.
The Hawks led 49-48 at half-time in the game played in Cleveland.
The Hawks trail the Cavaliers 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but with Korver and Horford out face a monumental task to win the game.
In the Eastern Conference semi-finals Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson was ejected after Dellavedova locked up his legs.
Gibson was so frustrated he kicked Dellavedova.
The Horford incident sparked debate in the US media with some labelling Dellavedova a dirty player.
“It’s not dirty, man,” NBA great Charles Barkley, defending the Australian, said.
“That’s the way he plays.”
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