NBA confirms missed call between Cavs and Rockets
The Cavs were on the wrong end of this one.
The NBA’s last two-minute report confirms that Alperen Sengun should have been issued a loose ball foul after shoving Jarrett Allen near the end of last night’s thriller between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets.
The play came with just over one minute to play — as Sengun barrelled his way to the hoop, converted a floater and then pushed Allen out of his way. According to the last two minutes report, this should have resulted in two free throws for Allen. Instead, the call was reviewed on the floor for a hostile act, with the officiating crew determining that none took place.
No one can blame the officiating for Cleveland’s loss. After all, it was a back-and-forth game that should have been won at the free-throw line. Tari Eason was called for a flagrant foul when contesting Darius Garland’s three-point attempt. This gave Garland three free throws to overcome a two-point deficit. He missed 2-of-3. Once given the ball back, Cleveland’s fate was sealed when Donovan Mithcell missed the final shot attempt of the night.
A missed call at a crucial point of the game never feels great. Sengun was playing an uber-physical game that bordered on excessive for most of the night. Still, it was clear the officiating crew was going to allow this contact throughout the game — and the Cavaliers simply had to deal with it.
The Cavs shouldn’t feel too bad. A one-point loss to a strong opponent on the road is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s how they lost that makes it sting. This incorrect non-call only further rubs salt into the wound.