Classic Delly sets off melee with 'dirty play'
Matthew Dellavedova has started the NBA season in typical Delly fashion, sparking a melee with a shoulder to the face of Marcus Smart.
The NBA Championship winner had already been involved in a physical confrontation with the aggressive Boston Celtics guard before the incident in the second quarter.
Smart was attempting to set a screen on the Boomers guard, who didn't take kindly to the move, throwing his elbow out towards Smart and appearing to collect him in the face with his shoulder.
The Celtics guard then theatrically flopped to the floor, before reacting angrily, getting up in Delly's face before he was pulled away.
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He was issued a technical foul for his reaction, while Dellavedova was called for a personal foul.
Delly was harshly criticised by commentators, fans and punters on social media.
I can’t believe Tommy Heinsohn took Marcus Smart’s side in a Smart/Dellavedova incident.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 19, 2017
Dellavedova is sneaky dirty. Love Marcus Smart jumping right back up in his face.
— Tom Giles (@TomGilesNBCS) October 19, 2017
Refs doing a poor job, Delly smacked Smart in the mouth with an elbow, Smart picks up a tech. No matter, Smart goes beast mode
— James Holas (@SnottieDrippen) October 19, 2017
Smart managed to draw the foul there from Dellavedova there but unsurprisingly it looked like Delly got the worst of the contact.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) October 19, 2017
It's been an eventful opening two days to the NBA season, with two star players suffering season-ending injuries early in the piece.