SportsFullCircle

Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza has been suspended for one game after throwing a forearm at DeMar DeRozan in a game against the Toronto Raptors. The suspension was in effect on Monday, and so the former Laker will miss Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons.

The 24-year old from Miami, Florida is Houston’s second-leading scorer, averaging seventeen points per game. However, he scored just one point before getting tossed from the floor in the third quarter against the Raptors.

Ariza will forfeit $53,218 of his $5.9 million salary.

“It was a heat of the moment thing,” said Ariza. “I lost my cool for a second. I got my penalty and whatever I have to do, I’m just trying to move past it and move forward. I look forward to watching my team play tomorrow and then playing against Denver [on Wednesday].”

Rockets coach Rick Adelman hasn’t decided on who will replace Ariza in the lineup, but the suspension may give Chase Budinger and Jermaine Taylor more minutes on the court.

“We’ll just talk about it and see what we’re going to do,” said Adelman. “Just like having a guy injured for a game, guys have to step up, guys have to be ready to play.”