There were some fireworks during Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.
Shortly after the second half of the game started, Ben Simmons and Jarrett Allen got into a heated altercation and got physically tangled up with one another.
It ended with Simmons pushing Allen to the ground before both players were held back by their teammates.
Following the Cavaliers’ impressive 118-95 win, Darius Garland spoke to Bally Sports Cleveland about how that moment gave the team a bit more drive and momentum.
Saying that the team’s defense “picked up a lot” in the second half of the game, he mentioned how great it was to see Allen get fired up over his run-in with Simmons.
It seems that that little scuffle encouraged the rest of the team to play harder, which they definitely did.
"Our defensive intensity picked up a lot."
Darius Garland speaks on what sparked the team's 21-0 run to start the 3rd quarter as they extended their winning streak to 8.#LetEmKnow | @cavs | @SerenaWinters pic.twitter.com/8YWxNLKm5C
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) February 9, 2024
Garland’s re-entry process continued on Thursday night and he was looking more like his regular self, scoring 14 points and 7 assists.
Allen also scored 14 points while posting 10 rebounds.
Surprisingly, they weren’t the only Cavaliers stars to score exactly 14 points, as Evan Mobley did as well, along with his 12 rebounds.
As for Simmons, he put up just 6 points and 2 assists.
When the second half started, the Cavaliers surged and went on a 21-0 run, ultimately resulting in their eighth-straight win.
The team is now the second seed in the Eastern Conference and is constantly showing that they are a group to truly fear.
They have to now face off against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago Bulls.
But they will next battle the Brooklyn Nets on March 10 and everyone is wondering if Simmon and Allen will fight again during that game.
NEXT: Evan Mobley Explains How Cavs Have Found Success This Season
