Paul Pierce’s go-ahead 3-pointer should not have been allowed due to an offensive foul in Game 5 of the Hawks-Wizards Eastern Conference semifinal Wednesday.
An NBA review of the game found two incorrect non-calls in the dramatic contest won by the Hawks 82-81 on an Al Horford last-second rebound and put-back basket.
Prior to the game-winner, Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left to give the Wizards a one-point lead. According to the Last Two Minute report issued Thursday, Marcin Gortat should have been called for an offensive foul for a screen set on Paul Millsap. According to the report, Gortat continued moving as he sets the screen on Millsap without giving him the opportunity to stop and/or change direction. Pierce hit the corner 3-pointer over a charging Millsap to give the Wizards an 81-80 edge.
The league also found that Pierce should have been called for travelling with 58.6 seconds remaining. The play resulted in a Gortat hook shot that tied the game at 78-78 with 51.3 seconds left.
In summary, the Wizards’ final five points should not have been counted.
The report also declared two other plays of interest as correct non-calls. Kyle Korver cleanly stripped the ball away from Pierce with 20.6 seconds remaining. The play led to a fast-break layup by DeMarre Carroll with 14.9 seconds left that gave the Hawks a 80-78 lead before Pierce’s go-ahead 3-pointer. Additionally, Horford did not commit an offensive foul has he made no illegal contact in securing the rebound ahead of his game-winner.
The NBA releases a report as an assessment of officiated events that occurred in the last two minutes of games which were within five points at the two-minute mark.
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