Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson was ejected early in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers after getting into a physical altercation with Matthew Dellavedova.
Gibson knocked Dellavedova to the ground in a battle for a rebound. While on the ground, Dellavedova locked up Gibson's leg. Gibson then responded by kicking at Dellavedova, which sparked a scuffle.
It was definitely a bit of gamesmanship on Dellavedova's part to provoke a fired-up Gibson. That was no excuse for Gibson's retaliation, and he was subsequently ejected.
Dellavedova with a leg lock off of @IAmJericho's 1004 moves list. pic.twitter.com/lFEQn2TgU0
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 13, 2015
After the game, Gibson disagreed with the officials' decision and pleaded innocence on his kick against Dellavedova.
Taj Gibson on ejection: "I was surprised. I really just tried to release my foot from him."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 13, 2015
Taj Gibson: "My opinion doesn’t matter. The refs reviewed it. They didn’t see what everybody else saw. So I have to respect it."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 13, 2015
However, the Cavalier saw it differently, with Kendrick Perkins and LeBron James voicing their support for Dellavedova.
The candid, and entertaining Kendrick Perkins on the Taj Gibson kick: "Man, he has to get suspended. He kicked my boy Delly in the ass."
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 13, 2015
"He kicks him in the ass. That's what happened. ... We just want to play ball. ... Delly is probably the toughest guy on the team." LeBron
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 13, 2015
Chicago went on a 26-18 run after Gibson went out, but the Cavaliers ultimately managed to hang on for a pivotal 106-101 victory in Game 5.
