'How the hell': Fans up in arms after ludicrous NBA no-call
The NBA officiating crew for game four of the NBA Finals has been heavily criticised after missing blatantly obvious foul on Phoenix star Devin Booker which should have seen him disqualified.
Booker had five fouls when he attempted to wrap up Bucks counterpart Jrue Holiday on a fast break, clearly wrapping his arms around his opponent - but the whistle stayed silent.
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While the missed call ultimately had little impact on the final result, with the Bucks scoring on the play after the ball bounced to Giannis Antetokounmpo for a layup, fans were nonetheless concerned referees could miss such an obvious and potentially important foul.
The referees owned up to the mistake after the game when asked for an explanation by reporters.
Crew chief James Capers said he thought a clean play had been made on the ball, but said on review it was clear a foul should have been called.
"During live play, I saw a clean sweep of the ball and thought it was a no call," he said.
"However, after seeing the replay, I now realise that I missed Booker's right arm around the waist of Holiday, and it should have been a defensive foul on the play."
The explanation did little to allay the concerns of fans on social media, who remained perplexed as to how a mistake of that magnitude could come at such a crucial time.
The refs didnโt blow their whistles for a foul on Devin Booker on this play โ even Booker couldnโt believe it after he hugged Jrue Holiday ๐คฆโโ๏ธ
pic.twitter.com/mlER7bAjoMโ Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) July 15, 2021
One of the all time no calls on Bookerโs 6th foul. Legendary stuff. He actually fouled him twice!!!!
โ Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 15, 2021
how the hell is that foul on Devin Booker not called?
โ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ (@IamJClary) July 15, 2021
Devin Booker is officially a superstar. That was clearly his sixth foul and it wasnโt called. Be legendary, indeed.
โ Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) July 15, 2021
*devin booker wraps up jrue holiday for his 6th foul*
the refs: pic.twitter.com/jycPbC1xaRโ Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) July 15, 2021
Refs not calling that foul on Devin Booker is equal parts alarming and hilarious.
โ Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) July 15, 2021
That is a remarkable no-call on Devin Booker. Good lord.
โ Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 15, 2021
Bucks level NBA Finals series thanks to Khris Middleton masterclass
Khris Middleton's big finish means these NBA Finals are just getting started.
Middleton scored 40 points, including 10 straight for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch to help them beat the Phoenix Suns 109-103 in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Middleton's hot hand and a big block from Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks their second straight victory in the first close game of the series.
Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. His streak of 40-point games ended at two but the only number that matters for the Bucks is on the series scoreboard.
Devin Booker scored 42 points for the Suns, but his foul trouble cost them a chance to build a big lead in the second half. Fellow backcourt star Chris Paul struggled through a 5-for-13 night, finishing with 10 points and five turnovers.
"We wanted this bad and the team showed it tonight," Antetokounmpo said.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Phoenix.
"This is a tough one but we've got to bounce back," Paul said. "That's why we fought all season to get home court."
Middleton is an All-Star with unwavering confidence in his shot, always believing that matter how poorly he starts that he can turn things around.
He may have turned around the course of these NBA Finals.
"We know he's going to take big shots, we know he's going to make big shots and tonight he was incredible," Antetokounmpo said.
With AAP
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