Refs join players in Game 1 spotlight
Reversal of key call, ejection, suspension threat hog attention
OAKLAND, Calif. — One fascinating game into the NBA Finals — after LeBron James scored 51 points, Stephen Curry provided his customary entertainment and J.R. Smith became a universal punch line — the officials found themselves in a prominent role.
This stretched from Ken Mauer and Tony Brothers, two of the referees who worked Golden State’s 124-114 overtime victory over Cleveland in Game 1 on Thursday, to league executives contemplating whether to hand out suspensions. Mauer reversed a crucial charging call on Warriors forward Kevin Durant in the final minute of regulation, enraging the Cavaliers.
They found some relief Friday, upon learning Cavs forward Kevin Love will not be suspended for leaving the bench during an overtime fracas. Love came onto the court after Brothers ejected Tristan Thompson, then returned to the bench as Thompson and Warriors forward Draymond Green got into a brief altercation.
There was no immediate decision on whether the NBA would suspend Thompson for Game 2. He was slapped with a flagrant foul for hitting Shaun Livingston with a high elbow while contesting his shot in the waning seconds.
“If we’re going to be that petty, then so be it,” Cavs guard George Hill said of a possible
suspension for Thompson. “But I don’t think it was a big deal.”
Green, animatedly clapping and waving goodbye, goaded Thompson after the ejection. He responded by angrily shoving the ball in Green’s face, sparking a scuffle involving several players.
“I thought that was uncalled for,” Golden State guard Klay Thompson said of Tristan Thompson’s actions. “But, honestly, I don’t care if he plays or not (Sunday). He’s great on the offensive boards, but we’re concerned with executing our game plan.”
The NBA has a longtime rule prohibiting players from leaving the bench area during an oncourt incident. Most memorably, Patrick Ewing was among five New York players suspended for one game after he came onto the court during a fight with Miami during the 1997 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Ten years later, in the 2007 West semifinals, Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for leaving the bench after San Antonio’s Robert Horry knocked Steve Nash into the scorer’s table. In this case, league officials apparently decided Love retreated to the bench when the heated dialogue between Tristan Thompson and Green turned physical.
As for the overturned call, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue had calmed down a bit by Friday. Lue was angry after the game, saying James got “robbed” when Mauer and Brothers, after reviewing video of the initial charge call on Durant, reversed their decision.
The play happened with 36.4 seconds left in regulation and Cleveland ahead 104-102. Durant drove the lane and ran over James, who had slid into his path. Mauer later said the call was reviewed because they had doubt James was outside the restricted area.
Replays showed he clearly was outside the area, but referees also can reassess the block/ charge call on video. They decided James was not stationary when Durant collided with him. Durant subsequently made two free throws to tie the game.
The league, in its standard review of the last two minutes of a close game, stood by Mauer for reviewing the play and also for his decision to overturn the original call.
“It was a tough call, we understand that,” Lue said. “But now we have to bounce back and be ready for Game 2. We were disappointed by the loss, but it’s behind us now.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, asked about the policy permitting officials to overturn judgment calls after video review, took a diplomatic stance.
“I’m not a huge fan of replay,” Kerr said. “I would like to see replay limited rather than expanded, but it doesn’t matter what I think.
“The rule is a rule. … In the end, I thought they got the call right. It was clearly a block.”
Said James after the game: “I thought I read that play just as well as any in my career, defensively. I saw the drive, I was outside the charge line, I stepped in and took the contact. It’s a huge play.”
One notable nugget in the league’s review of the final two minutes of Game 1: Green should have been called for a lane violation on Hill’s missed free-throw attempt with 4.7 seconds left and the game tied at 104-104. The NBA report characterized the no-call as “incidental.”
Smith rebounded Hill’s miss and dribbled out most of the clock, thinking his team was ahead.