Video: J.R. Smith Goes After Rodney McGruder at End of Cavs-Heat Game

Published by

Brad Sullivan

9 years ago

A controversial incident involving the Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith and Heat’s Rodney McGruder concluded the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 120-92 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday night. The two had to be separated, with Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue and team security quickly leading Smith to the team’s locker room.

The reason for Smith’s anger came after Miami’s final basket of the game. McGruder’s dunk was punctuated by a slap on the back of Cleveland’s Channing Frye. As Miami was dribbling out the clock, Smith began jawing with McGruder, with the video below showing a good portion of the incident.

The two teams will face each other again on Monday night in Cleveland, though Smith remains inactive as he recovers from a fractured thumb. He could be back in action during the next two weeks, with the Cavaliers set to return to Miami for a game on April 5.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.