Dwight Howard suspended for game 6
When the Orlando Magic play the Philadelphia 76ers in game 6 Thursday, Magic center Dwight Howard won't be on the court. The league has suspended Howard for an elbow he threw at the head of Samuel Dalembert in game 5.
He was called for a technical foul for the play, but Howard was not ejected.
Sixers GM Ed Stefanski and coach Tony DiLeo lobbied for the league to review the play, which led to Howard's suspension.
He was called for a technical foul for the play, but Howard was not ejected.
Sixers GM Ed Stefanski and coach Tony DiLeo lobbied for the league to review the play, which led to Howard's suspension.
"The rule is obvious," Stefanski said. "I contacted the league immediately after the play. You got to think about this…Dwight Howard is seven foot. Now if it was a 6-3, 6-4 guy that he elbowed you could maybe say something was inadvertent, but this is a seven-footer in Samuel and to basically go to his head with his elbow…to me there's no difference than a punch.Howard should have been ejected during the game. If he was ejected, the outcome of game 5 could have been different. Instead, Howard will miss game 6 in Philly and be active for game 7 in Orlando, if necessary.
"The rule states clearly if there's an elbow thrown to the head and there's contact then the player should be ejected. The officials said that they didn't see contact and that's why they gave him a technical foul instead of an ejection."
