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Danny Ainge Throws Towel to Distract J.J. Hickson

May 4, 2010 – 8:03 PM
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Matt Watson

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Two games into their best-of-seven, Eastern Conference semifinal series, it's too early for the Celtics or Cavaliers to throw in the towel, right? Tell that to Celtics GM Danny Ainge.

Even with the Celtics nursing a 80-57 lead late in the third quarter in Monday's Game 2, Ainge resorted to a bit of unusual gamesmanship from his courtside seat along the baseline. As Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson prepared to shoot the second of two free throws, Ainge reached for a ball boy's towel behind the stanchion and threw it into the air as Hickson released his shot in a blatantly obvious attempt at distraction.

It didn't work -- Hickson drained the free throw -- but it still bears watching:




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It would be strange to see this type of behavior from a fan; it's downright baffling to see it from a visiting team's executive. Cavs coach Mike Brown later admitted to being surprised.

"That was interesting to see that happen during the flow of the game, from Danny Ainge," Brown said. "If it's within the rules, hey, at this time, you do whatever you can to win. As long as it's within the rules."

But is it within the rules? An NBA spokesman told the AP "the situation is under review." A Celtics spokesman refused to comment.
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