Serge Ibaka, Robin Lopez Ejected for Throwing Punches in Bulls vs. Raptors Fight
Robin Lopez and Serge Ibaka were ejected from Tuesday night's game between the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre after they were involved in a physical altercation that included an exchange of punches.
After Jimmy Butler connected on a three-pointer with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Ibaka caught Lopez with an elbow beneath the basket, which prompted the Bulls big man to slap the ball out of Ibaka's hands. The two then exchanged punches, although neither appeared to land flush.
According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic "got into it" with Raptors assistant coach Jamaal Magloire.
Lopez and Ibaka will no doubt face NBA discipline for their roles in the fracas, which means the Eastern Conference playoff picture could receive a shake-up if punishment comes in the form of suspensions.
Entering Tuesday night, the Raptors were one game back of the third-seeded Washington Wizards and owned a four-game edge on the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 5 seed.
However, the biggest impact could come with regard to the eighth seed.
The Raptors are scheduled to play the Miami Heat on Thursday, and head coach Erik Spoelstra's squad is currently in a heated battle with the Bulls and Detroit Pistons for the conference's final playoff spot.
The Bulls, meanwhile, are slated to face the Pistons Wednesday on the second night of a back-to-back.
