Celtics forward Kevin Garnett wasn't surprised when he received a one-game suspension in the wake of Saturday night's Game 1 against the Heat.

Garnett elbowed Miami's Quentin Richardson as teammate Paul Pierce lay on the court late in the fourth quarter.

"No, I wasn't surprised at all, to be honest," said Garnett.

"I told my man, [Celtics vice president of media relations] Jeff Twiss, when we were talking that I just want my message to be done, and all of this to be over with. My message here is: Whoever it is, my teammates, [Celtics coach] Doc Rivers, or anyone in the organization, I want them to know I got their back.

"The elbow wasn't deliberate. The league does what it has to do to set the tone. I respect that. It's time to move on and get back to a wonderful series."

Garnett was then asked whether Richardson should have received more than a $25,000 fine.

"You know how it goes," said Garnett. "The person that usually instigates something is not the one that usually gets the penalty. But it's over. It's what it is. We've both been dealt with."