Doc Rivers Sounds Off On Jayson Tatum's Controversial No-Call
Towards the end of overtime in Game 4, Jayson Tatum received a pass from Marcus Smart and dribbled in before appearing to push Tyrese Maxey, who was guarding him tightly, creating the distance to allow him to sink a three which would give the Boston Celtics the lead with less than 40 seconds remaining.
Immediately upon Maxey staggering back, fans around the stadium erupted as the referees failed to call what should have been a foul. With Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers already using his challenge nearly a minute prior, they would have to live with the results.
Following the Sixers' win, thanks to a James Harden corner three with 19 seconds left on the clock, Rivers criticized the officials' decision on the push-off, pleading for the officiating crew to have consistency amongst calls towards the end of the game.
"The reason it bugged me is because at the end of the game, there were these touch fouls, Jayson Tatum has a 360 foul, Marcus Smart and Tuck get tangled up, touch foul, so if we're going to call it that way, then you have to call that," said Rivers.
The Sixers' head coach explained that he could appreciate the officials not wanting to decide the game with their calls, but by not assessing the foul that late into the game, they had the power to.
"You have to call that. I know it's a big play, and I'm a big fan of refs not deciding, but that could've decided the game," explained Rivers.
Declan Harris contributes to All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him on Twitter: @DecIanH.
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