Miami Heat and Boston Celtics Benches Clear in 3rd-Quarter Scuffle

The frustrations of a lengthy and trying 82-game season bubbled to the surface late in the third quarter Wednesday at TD Garden.

Both the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat benches cleared, spilling onto the floor for some aggressive posturing after a verbal altercation broke out between the C's Marcus Smart and the Heat's Goran Dragic.

The pair's dispute began with a contested rebound that sent Smart to the floor and followed a 22-2 run by the home team.

After the second-year player confronted Dragic, teammates from both squads became involved, including Miami's Udonis Haslem and Boston's Evan Turner. Both received technical fouls in addition to Dragic and Smart.

Considering the Slovenian lost his tooth mid-game not long ago, perhaps it isn't wise that he so freely airs his grievances.