NBA Official Scott Foster Out Sick Friday; Resting For Mavs vs. Suns Game 7?
For the most part, everything has gone the Dallas Mavericks’ way in three of the last four games against the Phoenix Suns in their Western Conference semifinals series.
After falling into a 2-0 deficit at the beginning of the series, Luka Doncic and the Mavs have stormed back to force a Game 7 on Sunday after blowing out the Suns in Game 6, 113-86.
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Although Dallas has the momentum heading into the finale on the road, the home team has won every game in this series. The Mavs desperately need their role players’ home production to translate to the road for just one game… but what if they also got some psychological help based on who is officiating Game 7?
On Friday, the NBA announced that Scott Foster will miss Game 6 of the Milwaukee Bucks’ semifinals series against the Boston Celtics due to a non-Covid related illness. Given Foster’s history with Suns’ point guard Chris Paul in big games, one has to wonder if his absence tonight means making an appearance on Sunday in Phoenix.
'Eerily Similar': Rick Carlisle Sees 2011 Title Team in Current Mavs
Former Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle sees the current team as being 'eerily similar' to the 2011 title team.
Mavs Ex JJ Redick: Suns Should've Traded For Rockets’ Eric Gordon
The Phoenix Suns might regret not adding another playmaker at this year’s trade deadline after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round.
Mavs Playoffs: Doncic's Postseason Run A Testament To Rockets' Coach Silas?
Former Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Stephen Silas helped build the foundation that has Luka Doncic on a tear throughout the 2022 playoffs.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Whether you want to call it a conspiracy, bad luck, or whatever else you can think of, the fact remains that Paul is 0-14 in his playoff career when Foster is officiating the game.
Do we believe Foster has it out for Paul? Of course not. Foster wouldn’t still be in the league if that was the case, at least we’d hope. But do we believe Paul has a mental block when he knows Foster is coming? Absolutely.
"(We've gotta) bring the same energy from the jump. Be ready to punch them in the mouth early. Just keep that going throughout the game," said Reggie Bullock, who went from scoring no points in Game 5 to 19 points on 5-11 shooting from downtown in Game 6.
The Mavs already have momentum, an extra day of rest, and the luxury of having the best player on the floor going for them. If Foster ends up officiating Game 7, that “punch in the mouth” might be a little bit harder.
