Raptors’ Serge Ibaka, Bulls’ Robin Lopez suspended one game each for skirmish

Robin Lopez has been the only player to both play in and start every game for the Bulls this season.

Also, Raptors assistant coach Jamaal Magloire was fined $15,000 for his role in the altercation.

With the Bulls 16 points up, Toronto’s Serge Ibaka and Chicago’s Robin Lopez got involved in quite the punch-up.

Ibaka had grabbed the ball after it fell through the netting and Lopez slapped it forcefully out of his grasp. While others tried to interfere, each threw one punch; Ibaka’s glanced Lopez’s face.

Both players, though, are unlikely to be on the court for at least a few games after they threw punches at each other in last night’s game in Toronto (which the Raptors won 122-120 in overtime).

Word from the National Basketball Association office that center Robin Lopez would be unavailable to the Bulls for their game against the Pistons on Wednesday night came as a surprise to absolutely no one.

The Pistons looked to the worst possible matchup on the worst night of the season for the Bulls, as they were light at the center position and facing Andre Drummond, a man who has given the Bulls the business during their better days. Jimmy Butler was tremendous in the fourth quarter tonight, and he clawed back a four-point lead for the Bulls with a minute left with a big layup.

“If something like that doesn’t get you going, and your competitive spirit going, I don’t know what will”, he said. He is averaging 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10 games for the Lakers, including two starts. They are now two games behind the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot. “I’m not just going to be out there and watch a man like him punch me and walk away”. Unfortunately, Ibaka had 16 points and six rebounds and was the only guy not named DeMar DeRozan who was playing well for Toronto. “Anytime you play with the force we played with (Sunday) – that’s what we’ve been searching for and we got that – it gives your offense and your defense a chance to be successful”.

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg marvelled at Krause’s ability to retool one three-time champion and repeat that feet with a revamped group later. They’d tell you he’s as passionate of a guy as we have on this team.