Grizzlies Ban Gambling Among Players Following OJ Mayo, Tony Allen Fight

Filed under: Grizzlies, NBA Gambling

Two days after an unsettled gambling debt prompted a physical altercation between teammates O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has banned gambling on team flights and hotel rooms.

"We're in a confined airplane and things get heated. I'm done with it. No more gambling," Hollins said, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I told my guys if they read a book, that would be good. They have to entertain themselves in a different manner."

The Grizzlies confirmed that "a brief altercation" occurred between Mayo and Allen during the team's charter flight back to Memphis from Los Angeles following a surprising 104-85 win against the Lakers.

According to the Commercial Appeal, Mayo instigated matters by repeatedly confronting Allen about an unpaid gambling debt stemming from a recent game of "Boo-Ray," a common card game in NBA circles. The pestering continued until Allen struck Mayo at least five times until being separated by teammates.

Even though Allen threw the first punch, Yahoo! Sports reports that the Grizzlies front office blames Mayo, who apparently suffered a swollen eye, for escalating the situation. Mayo missed Tuesday's 110-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder -- although as the Grizzlies tried to convince to the local media, his absence was simply the result of a conveniently-timed bout of "bronchitis."

Mayo and Allen met with Hollins on Monday, and Allen apologized to the team. It remains to be seen how the incident affects Mayo's already unsettled future with the team.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/05/grizzlies-ban-gambling-oj-mayo-tony-allen-fight/

Kobe Braynt LeBron James PRISM Motorsports Toyota Paul Fiercer Air Guard Ford Ray allen