NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences: Who are the favorites?
The NBA trade deadline brought major moves around the league, and major shifts for futures bets. Tony Anderson, Jeff Zillgitt and Prince Grimes give their predictions on who can win it all this year.
Over/Under
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has passed Hall of Famer Allen Iverson on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Westbrook entered Wednesday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies needing 35 points to pass Iverson’s 24,368 career points. He went on to score a season-high 36 points, with 10 assists and four rebounds in the Clippers’ 141-132 road win, shooting 72% from the field and 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
He passed Iverson, the Philadelphia 76ers legend who played 14 years in the league, for the 27th spot on the scoring list. Westbrook is 135 points away from Ray Allen following Wednesday’s win.
“I’m super blessed and grateful,” Westbrook said after the game.
Fan removed from stands
The first half got off to an interesting start after Westbrook had an altercation with a fan. The Clippers led the Grizzlies 66-58 just before halftime when Mason Plumlee committed a shooting foul on Ja Morant. As Morant approached the free throw line at FedExForum, Westbrook huddled with referees to point out a particular fan sitting underneath the basket.
Security personnel removed the fan from his seat afterward as the crowd booed.
It’s not clear what led to the fan’s temporary removal, but the spectator wasn’t kicked out for good. Photos circulating on social media show he returned to his seat in the second half.
FAN EJECTED: Kyrie Irving has fan ejected during road game in Charlotte after hearing boos
More fan ejections
It’s not the first fan ejection of the week.
Earlier this week, Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving had a spectator ejected during Dallas’ 110-104 road game loss against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. The TV broadcast showed Irving, who was traded to the Mavericks in February, pointing out a fan to officials who was then removed by security personnel at Spectrum Center.
The fan, however, got his money’s worth — letting out a vociferous “boo” as he was ejected.
Contributing: Richard Morin, USA TODAY
