In the third quarter of Cavs-Clippers, the game was already out of hand. Cleveland led by 20 points, and was on its way to a 12th straight victory. But over about three minutes, the Clippers picked up four technical fouls, giving the Cavs four free points and earning Matt Barnes an ejection.
Watch the Clippers blow up for 4 techs in 3 minutes against the Cavs
Trailing by 20, the Clippers got called for four technical fouls in 3:16, with Matt Barnes earning the front and back end of an ejection.
It started with a very confusing tech: Barnes was T’ed up by official Ken Mauer for briefly holding Kevin Love’s arm. It was after the play, but it wasn’t outrageous, and nobody seemed that upset.
As the Clippers tried to bring the ball upcourt after Kyrie Irving hit the technical free throw, Chris Paul said something that irked referee Lauren Holtkamp. We don't know what was said, but it was enough for Holtkamp to quickly, calmly call a tech.
Paul criticizes ref
On the next possession, DeAndre Jordan grabbed an offensive board and scored over Love, emitting a loud GODDAMMIT as he did so, which earned another, more obvious T from Holtkamp.
And last but not least, Barnes started yelling at Mauer and had to be physically restrained from the referee, earning an easy technical foul and ejection.
Normally when there are a bunch of techs in a row, both teams are jawing at each other. This was one-sided -- just the Clips taking out their frustration as the Cavs comfortably led.
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