Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks tossed for blow to LeBron James in Game 3

LOS ANGELES(AP) — Memphis Grizzlies agitator Dillon Brooks was ejected fromGame 3 of their first-round playoff series Saturday night afterstriking LeBron James in the groin.

Brookscommitted the flagrant foul while guarding James near midcourt just17 seconds into the second half, and James went down in obviouspain. Officials tossed Brooks after a brief video review, leadingto a raucous celebration in the Los Angeles stands.

Brooks hadbeen booed every time he touched the ball in Game 3 because of hisbehavior during and after Game 2 in Memphis. Most notably, the27-year-old Brooks called the 38-year-old James “old” whiledismissing the impact of the top scorer in NBA history.

Brooks andJames were matched up again in Game 3, and James was largelydominating until Brooks’ ejection.

Jamesscored 12 points in the first half while the Lakers went up by 29points early and eventually built a 53-37 halftime lead. Brooksstruggled mightily, scoring seven points on 3-for-13 shooting whilemissing four of his five 3-point attempts.

Brooks ledthe NBA in technical fouls this season, committing 18. He servedtwo one-game suspensions for his behavior.

The Lakerswould go on to win Game 3 111-101, takinga 2-1 series lead over Memphis.