NEW YORK -- Indiana's Rik Smits was suspended for one game Friday for
elbowing Milwaukee's Ervin Johnson in the head during their first-round playoff
series.
The 7-foot-4 center was ordered by the NBA to sit out Game 3 on Saturday in
Milwaukee. SportsLine.com has also confirmed Smits was fined $10,000. He elbowed Johnson while they fought for a rebound in Game 2 on
Thursday night in Indianapolis.
"I tried to box him out and my elbow got a little high," said Smits, who
was ejected.
Johnson said it was "just part of the game."
"He grazed me across the face or neck, whatever you want to call it,"
Johnson said. "I don't mind the bumps, I don't mind the fouls. I just don't
like people taking cheap shots."
The Bucks won the game 104-91 to even the best-of-five series.
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