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Raptors' Bismack Biyombo faces suspension for flagrant foul limit

TORONTO -- Raptors center Bismack Biyombo was handed a flagrant foul 1 after official review Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals for elbowing Cavaliers forward Kevin Love in the face on a rebound clear-out attempt. Biyombo now faces a one-game suspension for exceeding the postseason flagrant foul limit.

With his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason, Biyombo has exceeded the playoff total of three points, which results in an automatic suspension, according to NBA rules.

The foul occurred with 3:18 left in the first quarter, and the officiating crew called for it to be reviewed to see if it was flagrant.

Joe Borgia, NBA senior vice president of replay and referee operations, said the foul was sent to review because it was considered "a hostile act" and the referees at the game might not have had the best position on the play to see the entire act.

"We sort of teach officials, don't guess on plays," Borgia told NBA TV. "... Biyombo has got that elbow extended, he comes around and he makes significant contact to Love's face. So they elected to rule it a flagrant foul 1."

In addition to grabbing a franchise playoff-record 26 rebounds in Game 3, Biyombo had a flagrant foul on LeBron James late in that Raptors' win.

Biyombo was also assessed a flagrant 2 upon review from the league office after hitting Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner in the neck early in the fourth quarter in Game 7 of the first round on May 1.

Information from ESPN's Mike Mazzeo was used in this report.