CLEVELAND — Cavaliers ahead Marcus Morris Sr. was ejected from Monday night time’s win over the Hornets after he threw a excessive elbow that flattened Charlotte heart Nick Richards.
With the Cavaliers off to a sluggish begin, Morris delivered a blow to Richards’ jaw halfway by way of the second quarter, incomes him a Flagrant-2 foul. Morris, who has earned a tough-guy popularity throughout 12 seasons within the NBA, stated whereas he wasn’t making an attempt to harm Richards, he was making an attempt to set a tone.
“I simply wished to be bodily,” Morris stated. “Like I informed the participant (Richards), I wasn’t making an attempt to harm him. I am simply making an attempt to set the tone, man. You are rolling down the paint, catching lobs and we’re making an attempt to cease that kind of (stuff).”
The ejection ended up sparking a Cavaliers run as they ended the half with a 14-point lead.
The blowout win got here 24 hours after an embarrassing 37-point loss to the Warmth in Miami.
Morris, who signed a 10-day contract with the Cavs on March 18, stated he was sending a message to his new teammates and the remainder of the league.
“There’s been a whole lot of grueling video games and I used to be simply wished to toughen us up,” Morris stated. “Step in entrance of it like, hear that is what is going on to be anticipated transferring ahead, not only for in the present day. Set the precedent going into the playoffs. We’re not about to have anyone coming in right here and doing what they wish to do.
“I wished to play the sport, I did not wish to get thrown out, however I undoubtedly wished to place a bit lick on him. I used to be blissful the best way we responded.”
Morris might hear from the league for his Flagrant-2 foul, however felt the Cavs wanted it.
“I by no means actually wish to get ejected from a recreation,” he stated. “I nonetheless wish to assist my workforce, however I am simply blissful we responded very well. Going ahead, man, like I informed the workforce, every of those video games bought to be handled just like the playoffs.
“So if I bought to put anyone out each recreation, and we’ll reply like that, then so be it.”
The Related Press contributed to this story.
