Celtics loudest after the game

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The most intense action last night occurred in the corridor between the locker rooms when a fight erupted between the teams after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Celtics, 95-88, in an exhibition game at Value City Arena.

Players had been jawing at each other throughout the game, continuing as they walked off the court at the end. The verbal sparring escalated as the Celtics slowed to file into their locker room. The fight lasted about a minute before security intervened. "It was a bunch of guys screaming at each other," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who was talking with the referees when the fight started. "There were never any blows close to being thrown. It was squad against squad. The good news is that both teams have some energy in the preseason. I don't mind that.

"But both teams have to do a better job [of staying under control.] That should never happen. I wasn't in it. I don't know what happened, to be honest. I don't think it was a big deal, except for a bunch of guys screaming at each other. That's fine. I knew a bunch of security had everybody separated. There were no blows thrown. No pushing, for the most part. There were guys grabbing each other by the time I got there. But they looked very mad."

After the game, the Cavaliers said they were upset by Paul Pierce during the second half, alleging he spat at the bench.

"They were talking junk and we were talking junk and I don't know what was the big deal," said Cleveland's Jeff McInnis. "So, we're winning the game and we're not supposed to say anything and they were talking to us the whole time. Paul Pierce was talking at our bench and he spit at our bench. We're men and we're going to protect our team. We're all for one and one for all, just like our advertising campaign."

Ira Newble of the Cavaliers added: "That's just nasty right there. I don't have any respect for him [Pierce]."

Throughout much of the second half, Pierce could be seen talking trash to anyone who would listen from the Cavaliers to the 8,795 fans. But following the game, Pierce wasn't in the mood to say much more.

When asked if he spit toward the Cavaliers bench, Pierce said "No comment." When asked about his competitiveness on the court and constant talk, Pierce said he was "just playing basketball." When asked if there was something during the course that angered him, Pierce said, "I'm just competing."

Rivers hopes in the future that Pierce and the rest of the Celtics will be able to channel their energy more productively on and off the court.

"I liked the fact that Paul had some anger," said Rivers. "But now we have to have it and still be able to play through it."