NBA Referee Scott Foster Have it Out for the Miami Heat?

The Miami Heat have a disastrous record when Scott Foster is officiating.

NBA fans seemingly always target referees for some of their questionable decision-making.

But Miami Heat fans may actually have a reason to be upset. Scott Foster, who is notorious in the NBA fan base for poor officiating, was once again the subject of criticism after the Heat lost Game 2 to the New York Knicks.

“In last year’s playoffs, the Heat went 0-3 with Scott Foster, and this regular season they went 0-5,” user BullGator said. “Of the 3 playoff games they lost last year with Foster, one was Game 7 vs Boston, and the other two were Game 3s when the Heat had 2-1 leads in the series.”

In last year’s playoffs, @MiamiHEAT went 0-3 with Scott Foster, and this regular season they went 0-5.

Of the 3 playoff games they lost last year with Foster, one was Game 7 vs Boston, and the other two were Game 3s when the Heat had 2-1 leads in the series.

— BULLGATOR (@BULLGATOR_) May 3, 2023

Here's what I have:

Miami Heat have lost 9 straight games with Scott Foster officiating, 1-8 against the spread.

Last two seasons: 1-11 straight up, 2-10 ATS https://t.co/dPIefwGnPN

— Mr. Statistician Face Man (@tomhaberstroh) May 4, 2023

The calls made against the Heat were crucial down the stretch, which could have impacted the result. Some fans believed the calls were made to extend the playoff series and avoid Miami going up 2-0. Others are calling for Foster to be removed from league officiating altogether.

When he was on for G7 against Boston I couldn't help but feel it was over for us

— 𝕏ANDER | ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ɢʀᴀꜱꜱ🏕️ (@actionxander) May 4, 2023

I’m sure one day there will be an @espn @NBA @NBAonTNT documentary on how they found Scott Foster to be of the Tim Donaghy school of officiating.

— JuliusCesar25 (@JuliusCesar25) May 4, 2023

Officiating aside though, the Heat fell apart in the fourth quarter without their clutch superstar Jimmy Butler. Miami held their own but their inability to close out ultimately gave New York the win. The lack of offensive rebounds, paired with rushed 3-point shooting, lost them the lead going back to Miami. These were issues for the Heat all season that were ignored, until they led to the downfall of the team once again.

However, most Heat fans were content with the team's performance in the absence of Butler. They are confident Miami takes care of business at home…unless Foster is calling the game again.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.