CHICAGO — A desultory game and lethargic performance by the Chicago Bulls turned suddenly last night when a brawl erupted with 3:22 remaining in the third quarter of a 100-95 exhibition victory over Washington.
The Wizards' Michael Ruffin and the Bulls' Antonio Davis drew ejections. Davis, Washington's Brendan Haywood and possibly Ruffin are looking at league suspensions after the melee, which spanned almost the entire length of the court.
Meanwhile, in an exhibition between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics in Columbus, Ohio, Paul Pierce of the Celtics spit toward the Cleveland bench. The incident occurred after Pierce yelled at the Cavaliers' reserves to sit down.
Pierce had beaten the Cavaliers' LeBron James on a crossover dribble and then made a fallaway before James answered with a long jumper. James then stole the ball from Pierce and dunked.
Pierce proceeded to confront the Cleveland bench players, leaving the game soon to a chorus of boos from the crowd of 8,795. Pierce and James were assessed technicals for jawing at each other.
Cleveland won 95-88.
In Chicago, the Bulls, trailing 74-58, took exception to Washington's Larry Hughes shoving Kirk Hinrich of Chicago into Bulls rookie Luol Deng on a partial breakaway underneath the basket.
When Hinrich stood up to protest, Haywood shoved him in the back, which prompted Davis to step in. Hughes then shoved Davis, and the ugliness escalated.
As Davis pointed his finger at Hughes, Haywood slapped Davis in the face.
Davis took a swing at Haywood, slammed him to the ground and landed several punches as officials and coaches dived into the pile to separate the players. Bulls coach Scott Skiles ended near the bottom.
haha was good shit....the bulls an the bitch ass wizards squabin
The Wizards' Michael Ruffin and the Bulls' Antonio Davis drew ejections. Davis, Washington's Brendan Haywood and possibly Ruffin are looking at league suspensions after the melee, which spanned almost the entire length of the court.
Meanwhile, in an exhibition between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics in Columbus, Ohio, Paul Pierce of the Celtics spit toward the Cleveland bench. The incident occurred after Pierce yelled at the Cavaliers' reserves to sit down.
Pierce had beaten the Cavaliers' LeBron James on a crossover dribble and then made a fallaway before James answered with a long jumper. James then stole the ball from Pierce and dunked.
Pierce proceeded to confront the Cleveland bench players, leaving the game soon to a chorus of boos from the crowd of 8,795. Pierce and James were assessed technicals for jawing at each other.
Cleveland won 95-88.
In Chicago, the Bulls, trailing 74-58, took exception to Washington's Larry Hughes shoving Kirk Hinrich of Chicago into Bulls rookie Luol Deng on a partial breakaway underneath the basket.
When Hinrich stood up to protest, Haywood shoved him in the back, which prompted Davis to step in. Hughes then shoved Davis, and the ugliness escalated.
As Davis pointed his finger at Hughes, Haywood slapped Davis in the face.
Davis took a swing at Haywood, slammed him to the ground and landed several punches as officials and coaches dived into the pile to separate the players. Bulls coach Scott Skiles ended near the bottom.
haha was good shit....the bulls an the bitch ass wizards squabin
