NBA: Officials made correct noncall in Thunder-Raptors thriller
BOSTON — DeMar DeRozan was adamant.
The Raptors guard had erupted in the moment after his late drive in Sunday’s 132125 loss to the Thunder, angry that no foul had been called on Oklahoma City’s Corey Brewer as DeRozan attempted a shot at the rim that would have tied the game.
He was so convinced he’d been hacked on his layup attempt with 33 seconds to play that after the Thunder’s ensuing possession, DeRozan earned two technical fouls and an ejection.
On Monday, the NBA said officials were right not to make the call on Brewer.
According to the Last Two Minute report for the game, which reviews all calls in the final two minutes of games within five points, Brewer made a legal play.
Replay showed Brewer “make contact with the ball and the part of DeRozan’s hand that is on the ball,” according to the report. By rule, the hand is considered part of the ball when it is in contact with the ball.
And “therefore, contact on that part of the hand by a defender while it is in contact with the ball is not illegal.”
The Raptors were furious with the non-call. Forward Serge Ibaka and coach Dwane Casey were ejected after DeRozan, and after the game, DeRozan told reporters that Brewer “smacked the (expletive) out of me.”
“He smacked me,” DeRozan said. “And he tried to smack me because I had a layup. Period. I got fouled.”
The NBA disagreed. According to the Last Two Minute report, the officials did miss one call that disadvantaged the Raptors.
With 11.7 seconds to play and the Thunder leading 130125, OKC forward Carmelo Anthony grabbed PascalSiakim’s arm, “affecting his ability to receive” an inbound pass. The play resulted in a turnover and should have been called a foul, the report said.
Donovan: ‘Grind’ of NBA season can take toll
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Monday that coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave from the team for health reasons.
Billy Donovan wished Lue the best, and though he doesn’t know the specifics of Lue’s condition, the Thunder coach understands that the NBA season “takes a toll on a lot of people.”
Donovan will “try to force myself,” he said, to focus on exercise, nutrition and rest during the season. It’s not always easy.
“For me, as I’ve gotten older — I used to be able to work out every single day,” Donovan said. “I can’t keep up that pace anymore. So the other part comes (from) your diet and your sleep.”
Celtics short-handed
Boston point guard Kyrie Irving will miss his fourth straight game when the Celtics host the Thunder on Tuesday.
The Celtics have gone 1-2 with Irving sidelined by left knee soreness.
Boston also will be without small forward Jaylen Brown (concussion) and guard Marcus Smart (right thumb surgery). Gordon Hayward (ankle) remains out. The star free-agent acquisition hasn’t played since fracturing his ankle in the season opener.
Irving is Boston’s leading scorer at 24.4 points per game. Brown is second at 14.1.
Westbrook a weekly winner
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook on Monday was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week for games played March 12-18.
Oklahoma City went 4-0 during that stretch. Westbrook had a triple-double in all four games, averaging 25.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 12 assists.
He recorded his 100th career triple-double on March 13, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists at Atlanta. In Sunday’s win in Toronto, Westbrook had 37 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists, helping the Thunder snap the Raptors’ 11-game winning streak.
Cleveland’s LeBron James was the Eastern Conference Player of the Week winner.