John Wall Ejection Helps Lead Miami Heat to Victory

Ryan Christopher DeVault
John Wall's ejection from the Miami Heat game on Wednesday was the first of his NBA career. Wall left his Washington Wizards without a leader for the rest of the game, but maybe it wasn't entirely his fault that a fight took place on the court. Either way, the Heat found a way to recover from their embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

During the Miami-Washington game, Wall ended up at the high post after a switch, and was forced to guard center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Wall decided to play him close, and Ilgauskas didn't like that very much, throwing several elbows that didn't connect before one finally did. Wall didn't take kindly to that and bumped his chest before everyone else on the court came rushing over. The officials decided to end it right there, ejecting Ilgauskas and Wall for their role in the fracas.

Heat forward Juwan Howard was also tossed out of the game for blindsiding another Wizards player who was just trying to break up the shoving match. As is typical in most of these NBA "fights," though, no real punches were thrown, and the game continued on without those three players. The absence of Wall for the Wizards was much more of an impact on this game than the Heat losing two of their role players.

The Heat would end up winning this game 123-107, but many might think that it should have been even more one-sided without Wall on the court. LeBron James wound up with 35 points on just 12 of 16 shooting, and Dwyane Wade added 33 of his own in the victory. For Wall, he would end the game with just two points and five assists in 15 minutes of action. One would think that he could have ended up with some very nice assist totals if he had finished out this game.

Despite his short stint in Wednesday's game, Wall will surely make the NBA's All-Rookie team this season as one of the guards. He is currently averaging 16 points, 8.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, which might normally win a player the Rookie of the Year Award if someone named Blake Griffin wasn't also putting up great statistics. Wall will look to improve upon his numbers Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he likely won't face a suspension for his role in the on-court melee Wednesday.

Reference:

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Published by Ryan Christopher DeVault

Born in Seattle, Washington, I am a 31 year old college graduate working in the field of Education and Research. I am also a professional freelance writer and news content provider. I can be reached at...  View profile

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  • Daniel Barber3/31/2011

    Wow, Ryan. I'm disappointed in you. First, there WAS a punch thrown (by Wall), which is why he was ejected. Second, JaVale McGee wasn't "just trying to break up a shoving match" he clearly looked like he was about to jump on Zydrunas Ilgauskas back. Third, Juwan Howard did NOT "blindside" McGee, but shoved him off of Big Z from the front with one push with his left hand. Fourth, Big Z didn't "throw" any elbows at all. Yes, his elbow looked like it connected with Wall a little, but that had far more to do with Wall trying far too desperately to steal or knock away the ball from Ilgauskas. Big Z wasn't flailing away or anything. Finally, you vastly overstate the importance Wall's absence played in Miami winning the game. Are you just a Heat-hater, or what?

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