As we know by now the NBA have implemented the replay center in New York, (which hasn’t sped up play calling at all by the way) and are also publishing reports detailing the referees’ performances in the clutch minutes of every game. Which means that if there’s a game where a refs call (or no call) affects the game. It will be accounted for.
Speaking of calls affecting the game. On Thursday the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans. But according to ProBasketballTalk, there were actually three incorrect calls by the referees.
With 46.1 seconds remaining, Eric Gordon drains a wide open three to cut a four-point lead down to just one. The problem was that Quincy Pondexter set an illegal screen on P.J. Tucker to get Gordon loose, but the officials swallowed their respective whistles.
“Pondexter turns sideways while setting the screen on Tucker and does not give him the opportunity to stop and/or change direction,” the report said.
The last two calls the league deemed to be incorrect came on the same possession, with under eight seconds remaining. Tyreke Evans traveled before he got up his attempt at a potentially game-winning shot, but no call was made.
“Evans ends his dribble on his right foot, then goes left, right, left for a total of 3 steps,” the report says.
Then, on the ensuing scramble for the rebound, Eric Bledsoe was ruled to have fouled Alexis Ajinca, but again, nothing was called.
These are definite calls that are incorrect. This is a story because these two are currently fighting for the 8th seed along with the battered and bruised Oklahoma City. Phoenix won this one. Which was crucial. The battle is as tight as it can be. And with Nick Collison, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka out. Can OKC really keep the 8? Or will it be Phoenix that’ll leapfrog both New Orleans and Oklahoma City? Time will tell.
