Los Angeles Lakers’ Ron Artest could miss game – 3 against the Dallas Mavericks
Ron Artest is all set to miss the Los Angeles Lakers’ game-3 against the Dallas Mavericks through suspension. Dallas lead the series 2-0, after their win at the Staples Center on Wednesday, putting the two times defending champions in danger of crashing
out of the play-offs. Only 3 out of 18 teams in this situation, have ever come back to win the series in NBA history.
The Lakers’ task will be made even harder if Artest is suspended for game-3. The Los Angeles forward let frustration get the better of him in the humiliating loss at home court on Tuesday, when he needlessly fouled Dallas guard Jose Barea down the stretch.
Artest was caught a little out of position by Barea’s dribble and he went through teammate Lamar Odom to commit the hard foul.
Artest extended his right arm to, first, close line Barea and then grabbed his face. Barea was visibly hurt and took a minute to recover from the incident. Terry knocked down the technical free throw and Barea made two more to end the game.
The act was all the more stupid because of the timing. The incident took place when game had already been decided and there were only 24 seconds left on the clock. There was no need for any recklessness as Dallas looked to play out the clock.
Artest was ejected right away, having already picked up a technical earlier, when he elbowed Mavs centre Tyson Chandler.
After the game Barea spoke of the incident saying, "I think Lamar hit me and then Artest grabbed my face,” However when asked to comment on the possibility of a suspension for Artest he didn’t commit one way or the other, “I don't know. I think the league
will take a look at it and we'll see what happens. It's not a basketball play."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson had no complaints with the ejection and criticized his player. He also said he expected him to be suspended for the next game, adding that he hoped Artest escapes further punishment,
"It was uncalled for," Jackson said. "There's a good chance he'll be suspended. I hope not."
There is bad blood between the two teams, which stems from their last regular season meeting. Five players were ejected that night as tempers boiled over and players got in each other’s faces. Dallas guard DeShawn Stevenson confirmed that the players had
their last encounter in mind when heading into this series, "Always. Oh yeah. With me it did. I keep notes. I always keep notes."
Lakers fans will be hoping that Artest escapes just a slap on the wrist and is available for the game-3 against the Dallas Mavericks. However, the way that Los Angeles have played so far in the series, they will need more than just Ron Artest to make a comeback
in the series.
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