Pelicans Buddy Hield ejected for hitting DeMarcus Cousins under the belt

Pelicans rookie guard Buddy Hield was ejected after a flagrant foul penalty with just under three minutes left in the first half. Coming off a screen, Hield hit Cousins in the upper groin and was ejected for the first time in his NBA career.

"It was nothing intentional. I'm pretty sure if it was intentional, knowing DeMarcus' personality, he would have come after me and made a big fuss about it," said Hield, who had five points in 14 minutes. "But DeMarcus sold it enough that the refs looked over to review it."