OKC Thunder impacted by NBA Officials in back to back games
NBA officials affect game outcome for OKC Thunder in back to back games.
Two days after Marc Davis and his officiating crew had to be surrounded and escorted off the Raptors ACC court another officiating crew contributed to OKC losing in Boston.
Let’s make one thing clear, the OKC Thunder have no one to blame for this loss but themselves. That said, this incidence only serves to remind how quickly tides change.
Two fan bases robbed by officials in one game:
The win in Toronto showcased the very best of the Thunder. Much debate arose following the win and being a Toronto native who happens to cover both teams I was exposed to both sides of the conversation. Raptors fans were incensed, but not just for the no call on DeRozan. Rather, they felt Marc Davis specifically inserted his influence on the game.
Davis for example directly allocated five of Kyle Lowry’s six fouls. The fifth being the most egregious and particularly suspect given what was being let go for his counterpart. Note: these are Raptors fans sentiments although I don’t disagree about the fifth foul on Lowry.
As for the ejections of DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka and Dwane Casey the latter was comical given it occurred because of something a fan said. In DeRozan’s case he earned the ejection notably snapping at Davis “you’re trash, you’re bleeping trash”.
When the NBA released the last two minute report OKC Thunder fans were vindicated regarding the no call on DeRozan’s drive. However, the report also noted the refs missed Carmelo Anthony mugging Pascal Siakam on the inbound pass. And, while the four point lead at that point would likely not have been erased after witnessing what occurred in Boston it’s hardly a safe argument to make any longer.
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Being caught in the middle let me reiterate my sentiments on the matter. Neither of the fan bases wins in this matter.
Raptors fans have to live with the fact a no call on Melo removed the comeback opportunity. Thunder fans are stripped of arguably (Warriors victories notwithstanding) their best win this season and one they earned.
Boston benefits from no calls:
Flash forward to Boston two nights later. One thing is certain – had the Thunder replicated their Sunday effort in Bean Town this would be a moot point.
Perhaps the Raptors took more out of the Thunder than players or fans want to admit. Or maybe OKC looked at the undermanned Celtics and viewed them similarly to how they’ve viewed lottery teams this season (note: OKC have lost 11 games to sub .500 teams).
Regardless, the infamous 23.7 seconds happened and for the first time in over 4,000 games a team came back from six points down to garner the victory.
Proving the old adage of what one hand giveth the other can take away. On Wednesday the last two minute report from the OKC – Boston game noted the Marcus Morris basket should never have counted.
That’s because the refs failed to make two different calls on Morris. First, Morris took longer than the allocated five seconds to inbound the ball. And, secondly (and more importantly) Morris traveled just prior to the play.
The moral of the story for the Thunder (and the Raptors) is to not put the team in a position where officials can have an effect on the outcome. At the end of the day, that is all there is to take away from the situation.
Screaming at an official to make the right call won’t guarantee it will happen. Nor will learning in the two minute report your initial assessment was accurate, because even when officials error and admit it, nothing changes.
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So — about that coaches challenge idea this scribe keeps pushing….