The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ thrilling last-minute victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night had two controversial calls. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute report, both were called correctly on the floor.
First, the referees didn’t call a foul on James Harden’s three-pointer to tie the game with 33 seconds left. Tim Hardaway Jr. took away Harden’s landing space on the jumper, which usually is called a defensive foul.
The foul didn’t come, and that was supposedly the correct call.
Advertisement
The Last Two Minute Report states: “Harden (CLE) abnormally extends his leg as he returns to the floor to create the marginal lower body contact with Hardaway Jr. (DEN).”
I’m not sure if I agree with that one. Harden does extend his legs out when he’s shooting, but Hardaway is landing exactly where Harden took off from.
Moving on, the NBA also agrees that Donovan Mitchell was fouled by Jamal Murray on his shot attempt with less than a second left. These two free throws led to the Cleveland victory.
The Last Two Minute Report states: “Murray (DEN) is late to the spot and turns into Mitchell (CLE), initiating illegal body contact.”
Advertisement
Murray was late to the spot, but I’m not sure if he initiated contact. A no-call would’ve seemed acceptable given the time and score.
The NBA did confirm that there was one missed call in the final two minutes.
Jaylon Tyson should’ve been whistled for a three-second violation on a late Nikola Jokic turnover. From the replay, it’s clear that Tyson was camped out in the lane, and you can hear someone on the court yelling out that it should’ve been a three-second violation.
All in all, the Cavs don’t have much to complain about here, especially after they got the win.