Froob wrote:zoyathedestroya wrote:
Interesting officiating wrinkle.
James Williams, who spent high school and college in Indianapolis, is officiating tonight along with Scott Foster. Williams will be remembered for refereeing our earlier loss to the Pacers in January when they reversed a shooting foul call on Hield against Jaylen Brown. Cs lost by 2.
I'm good with Foster. We've typically had good luck with him. Williams does worry me though.
Well, for games Foster officiates, I've been making money all playoffs betting on the team trailing in the series. We've been fortunate to squeak through games where we had a big lead and the League had much incentive to extend the series. Note 2022 BKN G4--note what I interpret to be Foster wincing on-camera after the buzzer sounded with the Celtics having overcome Tatum fouling out with 2:38 to go.
Foster is exactly who I didn't want to see officiate tonight as it is very much in the League's interest to see this series extended. That's especially coming off the free throw difference in Game 1 where the NBA can say "dem's the breaks" when the free throws go to even (despite Indiana's playing style). I would say Boston could play ferociously on defense with Tatum/Holiday on Turner/Halliburton and cross-matching Horford on Siakam or Nesmith. But a couple of well-placed early fouls on Holiday and Tatum would undermine their PnR defense. The C's can overcome Foster and have done so at times in the past, but I would have much rather seen Foster in Indiana with Porzingis closer to a return than showing up this early.
My Gangsta !!
