Celtics game delayed as players gag and cough

Celtics game delayed as players gag and cough

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By Associated Press, 3/7/2003 22:24BOSTON (AP)

The Boston Celtics suddenly evacuated their bench between periods of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night when an unknown substance made it difficult for them to breathe. The game was delayed for nine minutes.

''Everybody started coughing,'' center Mark Blount said. ''I felt like I was going to throw up, man.''

Boston had a 60-50 lead after three quarters when the Celtics players and staff suddenly got up and walked across the floor. Fans in the sections behind the bench were breathing through their shirts and jackets.

There was no odor. Police and security checked the area about three rows behind the bench, but didn't appear to find anything.
Security officials would not comment.

''It didn't smell. I just couldn't breathe,'' forward Mark Bryant said.
The game resumed at 10:03 p.m., with an announcement over the public address system: ''Fans, officials ask that you please refrain from throwing things at the floor.''