Boston Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine has all but accused the Heat of deliberately injuring Jayson Tatum.
The incident occurred in Boston’s blowing win over Miami on Sunday as the Heat went down 114-94 to the number one seeds.
“I’m not trying to start nothing here, but Erik Spoelstra called a timeout with 1:30 down by 16, 30 seconds later that play happens. 30 seconds later? Why have you called a timeout at 1:30 down 16? Why is that play happening 30 seconds later… that looked shady to me,” Scalabrine said.
“To me it’s a dirty play. I think Martin should get suspended for that. That’s a dirty play. You can’t do that, just think about that. The NBA is about the star players, the idea of winning a championship is your star players have to stay healthy. And a guy goes up and you just ram into him? That ain’t basketball,” Scalabrine continued.
The hip check by Caleb Martin with only one minute remaining looked more like NFL or NHL block than on a basketball court.
The league has not taken action but game two will certainly have extra hot spice.
