BaffLer wrote:I actually feel for Portland because Lillard is literally WILLING this team to a playoff spot right now and for them to miss that obvious of a goaltend is just unacceptable. Sure you can account for human error and whatnot, but the last moments of a game like that, officiating needs to be spot on. The NBA should be ashamed.
It was pretty bad but it's nothing new. NBA has always been atrocious at officiating the last second play.
If you are an away team (@ Utah of all places) down 2 and shot clock is off, I would live or die by Dame's game winning 3. Attacking the basket for a tie, it's most likely that Dame gets fouled with no call, or goaltend with no call. Even if he makes that basket or refs miraculously call the goaltending, D Mitchell can win it in regulation or in OT with no Whiteside. Portland couldn't defend or get rebounds to save their lives down the stretch.
It doesn't excuse the ineptitude of those refs tonight, but the smart move is always to take a jumpshot, and preferably a game winner esp. in an away game imo