NBA Defends No-Call With 0.0 Seconds Left as Cavaliers Escape Pistons in Overtime
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 15
NBA Defends No-Call With 0.0 Seconds Left as Cavaliers Escape Pistons in Overtime
6 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 15
The NBA’s Last Two Minutes Report said officials correctly swallowed the whistle on Jarrett Allen’s late contact with Ausar Thompson in a 103-103 game, preserving Cleveland’s path to an overtime win.
The league said Allen and Thompson legally reached the same spot while chasing a loose ball and lost balance after marginal contact, echoing crew chief Tony Brothers’ in-game explanation of incidental contact.
Detroit disputed that account, with coach J.B. Bickerstaff saying Allen clearly tripped Thompson; a foul with less than 1 second left would have sent the 60% free-throw shooter to the line.
The no-call sharpened the Pistons’ broader complaints about officiating after Game 4, when Detroit attempted 12 free throws while Donovan Mitchell alone took 15.
Game 6 is Friday in Cleveland, where the Pistons will try to extend the series under renewed scrutiny of the whistle.
Amidst a league-wide push for 'freedom of movement,' why did officials ignore a game-deciding trip in the NBA playoffs?
Will the coaches' union president's criticism of officiating influence the calls in a do-or-die Game 6 for his number one team?
Did a controversial no-call cost the top-seeded Pistons the game, or did they choke away a nine-point lead in three minutes?