L2M: Refs missed 2 intentional fouls by Mavs on Nuggets' final possession
The NBA announced officials missed not one, but two key calls in the dying seconds of Tuesday's game between the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.
Down one point with 10.4 seconds remaining, the Mavericks swarmed Will Barton, with Dennis Smith Jr. first trying to grab the Nuggets guard, followed by Wesley Matthews then swiping at Barton's arm. The refs didn't call either a foul, so Matthews ran over and shoved Gary Harris in front of Rodney Mott, who finally blew the whistle.
Mavs have a right to be upset after all of those no-calls, IMHO. (Side note: Why does this always happen against the Nuggets?) pic.twitter.com/t0EPgNZZa1
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) January 17, 2018
Mavs players were pointing to midcourt where they believed - correctly - they had already fouled their opponent.
Wednesday's Last Two Minute Report indicates Smith should've been called for his intentional foul attempt with 8.2 seconds remaining, and Matthews 1.5 seconds later.
Instead, the Mavericks only had 1.7 seconds to try to tie the game, but didn't even get a shot off as they fell 105-102 in the Mile High City, prompting this reaction from head coach Rick Carlisle:
Rick Carlisle appears to give the refs a "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame on you!" as he walks off the court. #Nuggets #Mavs #NBA pic.twitter.com/kIzzEoUxFa
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) January 17, 2018