NBA Stands by Controversial Calls at End of Celtics-Cavaliers Game

After a successful challenge kept Jayson Tatum from the free-throw line with the Celtics down one with 0.1 seconds left, Boston got denied a timeout for a final shot.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Boston Celtics saw their 11-game win streak come to an end.

After entering the final frame leading by 16, the visitors "didn't mash the gas," as Jaylen Brown put it. Taking their foot off the throttle led to slow rotations and late contests as the hosts drilled 8/11 threes in the fourth quarter.

Leading the charge was Dean Wade, who erupted for 20 points in the last 12 minutes, making all five shots he hoisted from beyond the arc and faring 7/7 from the field.

After his put-back jam on a missed layup by Darius Garland, which gave Cleveland, who once trailed by 22 in the fourth quarter, a 105-104 lead with 19 seconds left.

After the Celtics took their time bringing the ball up the floor and they and the officials missed Joe Mazzulla calling for a timeout with 4.6 seconds remaining, Jayson Tatum appeared to earn a trip to the free-throw line with his team down one with 0.1 seconds on the game clock.

But upon review, the Cavaliers won their challenge, with it determined there was clear and conclusive evidence Tatum's leg extension created the marginal contact that occurred.

A day later, the NBA conveyed the following about that overturned call in its last two-minute report for Tuesday's matchup between two of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference.

"Garland closes out in front of Tatum and avoids making contact during the release of his jump shot attempt. After the release, marginal lower body contact occurs with Tatum's partially extended right leg. Additionally - the contact from Tatum's right leg does not take Garland out of the play, and neither an offensive nor a shooting foul are warranted. Neither team is in imminent possession of the ball at the time of the whistle, and play correctly resumes with a jump ball at center circle."

That jump ball took place with 0.7 seconds left. Boston won the tip, but the clock immediately expired before it could take a timeout.

The NBA also deemed that the correct no-call.

"The game clock expires as White (BOS) secures possession, and Coach Mazulla (BOS) signals for a timeout after the game has ended."

"Just a weird way to end the game," expressed Tatum after the Celtics' 105-104 loss. "But they always say the game isn't won or lost on the last play. There's a lot of things that we didn't do well in that fourth quarter that put us in that position."

Just as the C's had to quickly turn the page after shellacking the Golden State Warriors by 52 points on Sunday, they're on to a potential NBA Finals preview against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.

"I look forward to us responding," voiced Tatum at the podium, confident in his team's ability to bounce back and meet a more significant challenge.

Further Reading

Warriors' 'Disrespect' Only One Source of Fuel for Jaylen Brown Sunday

'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'