There are missed calls in every NBA game. But some of them are more expensive than others.
When the Warriors go down in the middle of a four-game losing streak, every non-call and disadvantage stings a little harder.
On Sunday, the NBA released its “Last Two Minute Report” of Golden State’s 124-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena. The referee’s most notable mistake was that LeBron James didn’t answer the call due to being late.
After Steph Curry reduced the Lakers’ lead to three points – 119-116 – due to a 1:06-minute layup, Lakers coach Frank Vogel called a timeout. Both teams were waiting for the decisive possession of the ball.
Deciding to ease the game rather than score after a respite, LeBron deflected a pass to defenseman Russell Westbrook, who missed the shot. Lakers rookie Austin Reeves grabbed an offensive board and threw it back to LeBron, who began directing traffic to the Lakers’ half-court logo.
LeBron, guarded by Clay Thompson, drove into the paint and kicked it out for teammate Carmelo Anthony, who hit a wide-open three to make it 122-116.
Game over.
However, the league report indicated that LeBron did hit the paint before passing the ball to Anthony in the corner.
“James (LAL) breaks pivot leg early in dribbling,” it reads.
Had the trip been announced, Golden State would have dropped three points with 38.6 seconds left. Then Curry and company could tie or hit two-for-one — a shot before the game clock matches the shot clock for the Lakers’ next possession — greatly increasing their chances of stealing the win. road and put an end to their losing slip.
Instead, the Warriors will take their four-game losing streak to Ball Arena on Monday night when they face the Denver Nuggets.
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