There were nine incorrect non-calls in the final two minutes and overtime of the Hawks’ 110-108 loss to the Cavaliers Friday night at Philips Arena, according to the NBA report posted Saturday. Five of the non-calls benefitted the Hawks and four benefitted the Cavaliers.
The report concluded:
* The Hawks’ Al Horford should have been called for a defensive three-second violation with 1:54 left in regulation. The Hawks led 94-92 and the Cavaliers’ LeBron James missed a 16-foot step back jumper that was rebounded by Horford on the possession.
* The Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving should have been called for an offensive foul while setting a screen on the Hawks’ Kent Bazemore with 1:51 left in regulation on the above possession. According to the report: “Irving (CLE) continues moving as he sets the screen on Bazemore (ATL) without giving him room to avoid the contact. Bazemore then grabs and holds Irving.”
* Horford should have been called for an offensive foul on the Cavaliers’ Kevin Love while attempting a shot with 1:29 remaining in regulation. The Hawks still led 94-92. According to the report: “Horford (ATL) hooks Love (CLE) and creates space on his spinning shot attempt.” Horford missed the eight-foot turnaround hook shot that was rebounded by James.
* James should have been called for an offensive foul against Bazemore with 41.3 seconds left in regulation. The score was tied at 94-94 and James hit a driving layup to give the Cavaliers the lead. According to the report, “Bazemore (ATL) obtains a legal guarding position prior to absorbing the contact from James (CLE).”
* Horford should have been called for a loose ball foul on the Cavaliers’ Tristan Thompson with 6.9 seconds left in regulation and the scored tied 96-96. According to the report, “Horford (ATL) clamps the arm of Thompson (CLE) and affects his ability to retrieve the rebound.” James missed an 18-foot step back jumper one second later.
* The Hawks’ Jeff Teague was fouled by the Cavaliers’ Iman Shumpert with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Teague failed to get a shot off on the final possession. The Hawks were not in the bonus so the foul would not have resulted in free throws. According to the report, “Shumpert (CLE) makes contact with Teague (ATL) that affects his RSBQ (Rhythm, Speed, Balance, Quickness).”
There were three incorrect non-calls in overtime.
* The Cavaliers’ JR Smith should have been called for an offensive foul on Kent Bazemore with 48.4 seconds left. The game was tied at 104-104 and Bazemore was called for a non-shooting foul one second later. According to the report: “Smith (CLE) continues moving as he sets the screen on Bazemore (ATL) without giving him room to avoid the contact.”
* Bazemore should have been called for a personal foul on Irving with 38.1 seconds left. The score remained tied. According to the report: “Bazemore (ATL) grabs Irving (CLE) after he switches on the screen.” Horford fouled James two seconds later and he made 1 of 2 free throws that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good.
* The Hawks’ Kyle Korver should have been called for a five-second inbound violation with 18.8 seconds left. The Hawks trailed 107-104. The Cavaliers’ Matthew Dellavedova was called for a non-shooting foul once the ball was inbounded. On the next inbounds, the Hawks’ Paul Millsap dunked with 12.6 seconds left to cut the deficit to a point.
The NBA produces a Last Two Minutes report, an assessment of officiated events, for all games that are within five points with two minutes remaining or that go into overtime.
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