NBA: British big man Freeland, Pistons’ Williams banned

NEW YORK, United States – Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Freeland of England and Detroit Pistons forward Shawne Williams were suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Saturday for exchanging head-butts.

The incident came with 75 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Portland’s 118-99 victory over the visiting Pistons on Friday.

Williams was banned for Detroit’s game Saturday at Utah while British big man Freeland will miss Portland’s game Sunday at Toronto.

Freeland, 28, has averaged 3.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 34 games for the Trail Blazers this season, his third in the NBA and with Portland after seven years playing in Spain.

The Trail Blazers lead the Northwest division at 43-20 and rank third in the Western Conference behind fellow division leaders Golden State and Memphis.

Detroit, on a nine-game losing streak, has fallen to 23-42, 6 1/2 games behind Charlotte for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Williams, a 29-year-old American, has averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 51 appearances for the Pistons this season.