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Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) was ejected after his flagrant foul on Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the third quarter of last year's first-round playoff Game 4.

(Barry Chin, Boston Globe)

ORLANDO, Fla. - Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder wants an apology from Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith on Tuesday when the two meet for the first time in nearly eight months.

Crowder is apparently still miffed with Smith for landing an unexpected backhanded punch to the right side of his face in Game 4 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Celtics forward told reporters in Boston on Monday that he 'hopes he apologizes' and if not, then they'll just play ball.

After informing Smith of Crowder's comments, it didn't sound like he would be asking for forgiveness any time soon.

"I mean, we'll just play ball," Smith told cleveland.com after practice on Monday.

Obviously irritated with the topic, Smith refused to exert much energy into the incident that cost him the first two games in the next round with Chicago. He didn't have much to say.

"Honestly man, I'm done with that whole situation," he said. "I'm not even going to feed into it."

The blow occurred while the two were battling for position for an anticipated rebound opportunity early in the third quarter. Crowder immediately dropped to the floor upon impact and sprained his left ACL in the process. Smith was accessed a Flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection.

It was also the game Kevin Love suffered a dislocated shoulder. The Cavaliers swept the Celtics, but it was a competitive, physical series. When asked if that was one of the most physical series he's been a part of, Smith responded, "Nah. It's just playoff basketball."

It should be an interesting reunion at TD Garden.