In Mavericks-Lakers game, NBA admits refs missed seven calls

 

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the most dramatic victories of the season with a double-overtime win over the LA Lakers on Thursday. Still, it wasn’t without controversy along the way.

 

 

The controversy didn’t diminish when the NBA released its final two-minute report a day later.

 

 

Both teams were excited about the refereeing of the game, but the Lakers were particularly angry when their comeback nearly ended the game. The most significant point of contention was Lakers wing Troy Brown Jr.’s game-winner, blocked by Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr., sending the game into overtime.

 

 

LeBron James, in particular, was furious. According to the source, Brown offered a diplomatic answer to reporters in the LA locker room after the game. Still, when reporters followed up with referee Joshua Devin’s explanation, specifically Hardaway’s only “high-five” contact,” which is legal – James chimed in 20 feet away:

 

 

“No, it’s a fucking foul,” James said emphatically to everyone in the room. “It was a foul. No matter what [Brown] said, it was a foul. It was so damn obvious, and they should have said that.”

 

 

That’s not the word of a guy who’s happy about losing 119-115 and dropping to 19-23 on the season. Even with perfect refereeing, it would have been a gut-wrenching game, as Luke Doncic hit a 3-pointer in the final minute to force the first and second overtime.

 

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A day later, the NBA confirmed the referee’s cancellation, which was not what James and the Lakers had hoped for. The Last Two Minutes report noted that officials missed and missed as many as seven calls during the final two minutes of the regular season and two overtime periods but confirmed the call on Hardaway was correct.

The NBA’s explanation backed up Tiven’s postgame comments: “Hardaway Jr. (DAL) legally countered Brown Jr.’s (LAL) jumper attempt and made contact with the ball. Any ‘high five’ contact is considered incidental.”

 

 

If the Lakers wanted something more pissed off, the league conceded that officials missed two calls on the same possession at the end of the 1st overtime. With less than 15 seconds left, James broke into the basket under Doncic’s defense but was blocked by Christian Wood, who assisted. A scramble for the ball resulted in Luka Doncic recovering possession, forcing double overtime.

 

In Mavericks-Lakers game, NBA admits refs missed seven calls

 

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the most dramatic victories of the season with a double-overtime win over the LA Lakers on Thursday. Still, it wasn’t without controversy along the way.

 

 

The controversy didn’t diminish when the NBA released its final two-minute report a day later.

 

 

Both teams were excited about the refereeing of the game, but the Lakers were particularly angry when their comeback nearly ended the game. The most significant point of contention was Lakers wing Troy Brown Jr.’s game-winner, blocked by Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr., sending the game into overtime.

 

 

LeBron James, in particular, was furious. According to the source, Brown offered a diplomatic answer to reporters in the LA locker room after the game. Still, when reporters followed up with referee Joshua Devin’s explanation, specifically Hardaway’s only “high-five” contact,” which is legal – James chimed in 20 feet away:

 

 

“No, it’s a fucking foul,” James said emphatically to everyone in the room. “It was a foul. No matter what [Brown] said, it was a foul. It was so damn obvious, and they should have said that.”

 

 

That’s not the word of a guy who’s happy about losing 119-115 and dropping to 19-23 on the season. Even with perfect refereeing, it would have been a gut-wrenching game, as Luke Doncic hit a 3-pointer in the final minute to force the first and second overtime.

 

>> Best betting sites in Iceland (2024)

 

 

A day later, the NBA confirmed the referee’s cancellation, which was not what James and the Lakers had hoped for. The Last Two Minutes report noted that officials missed and missed as many as seven calls during the final two minutes of the regular season and two overtime periods but confirmed the call on Hardaway was correct.

The NBA’s explanation backed up Tiven’s postgame comments: “Hardaway Jr. (DAL) legally countered Brown Jr.’s (LAL) jumper attempt and made contact with the ball. Any ‘high five’ contact is considered incidental.”

 

 

If the Lakers wanted something more pissed off, the league conceded that officials missed two calls on the same possession at the end of the 1st overtime. With less than 15 seconds left, James broke into the basket under Doncic’s defense but was blocked by Christian Wood, who assisted. A scramble for the ball resulted in Luka Doncic recovering possession, forcing double overtime.