Cavaliers` Smith suspended two games

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith was suspended for two games by the NBA on Monday for striking a Boston player in the face in game four of their first-round playoff series.

Cavaliers` Smith suspended two games

New York: Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith was suspended for two games by the NBA on Monday for striking a Boston player in the face in game four of their first-round playoff series.

Smith will miss the first two games of the second round, in which the Cavs will face either Chicago or Milwaukee.

Smith was ejected from Sunday`s game four, which the Cavaliers won to complete a sweep of the Celtics, after hitting Boston`s Jae Crowder in the face while trying to defend the Celtics forward under the basket.

After Crowder gave Smith a little push in the back, Smith wheeled around and connected with the back of his right hand. Crowder fell and left the game with what the Celtics said was a left knee sprain suffered on the play.

The Cavaliers had already announced on Monday they would be without Kevin Love for the second round, after Love suffered a dislocated shoulder in game four.

Love was hurt in a tangle with Boston`s Kelly Olynyk, who denied intentionally trying to hurt the Cleveland player.

Nevertheless, Olynyk was handed a one-game suspension which he will serve next season.

Cavs forward Kendrick Perkins was also fined $15,000 for shoving Crowder in a move that was deemed a flagrant foul.