NBA Backs Up Refs After Controversial Call In Final Seconds Of Clippers-Thunder Game
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) - Doc Rivers was adamant Wednesday night that the refs made the wrong out of bounds call involving Reggie Jackson and Matt Barnes, letting the Thunder retain possession.
Rivers said they were robbed of a win that could be series defining.
A day later, the NBA released a statement saying there was no clear and conclusive evidence to reverse the call and therefore the play correctly stood as called.
"With 11.3 seconds left in the game, the basketball went out of bounds on the baseline and the referees ruled the ball belonged to the Thunder," read the statement. The referees then used instant replay to review the play. In order to reverse the call made on the court, there has to be 'clear and conclusive' evidence. Since no replay provided such evidence, the play correctly stood as called with the Thunder retaining possession."
With four minutes to go, Clippers lost a 13-point lead to give the Thunder the win and a 3-2 series lead over the Clippers.
They'll play game 6 in Los Angeles, Thursday.