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NBA: Dwight Howard shouldn't have been ejected for hanging on rim

USA TODAY Sports

The NBA said in a statement late Monday night that Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard should not have been ejected for hanging on the rim.

Dwight Howard will likely get his second technical foul rescinded.

In a chippy contest against the Celtics in Boston, Howard was whistled for his second technical foul with about four minutes left in the third quarter after hanging on the rim on a dunk. Howard's first technical came shortly before after a scuffle with Celtics center Al Horford.

The league said in its statement that Howard's second technical "should have been deemed non-unsportsmanlike and should not have resulted in his ejection."

Earlier in the third quarter, Howard went up for a shot and Horford grabbed his arm for a hard foul. As Howard got to his feet, he shoved Horford in the chest. Some more pushing and shouting ensued, and Howard was hit with his first technical.

Howard had 17 points and 12 rebounds before the ejection, and the Hawks went on to win 114-98.

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"It was a good team win," Howard said. "I apologized to the guys and told them I need to do a better job of keeping my composure and some other things and they understood."

Contributing: Associated Press

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