The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have probably the most storied rivalry within the NBA, however nowadays the groups are at reverse ends of the standings. The Celtics are coming off an NBA Finals look and at present have the very best report within the Japanese Convention. The Lakers are simply hoping to make the play-in match within the West, and proper now personal the third-worst report within the convention. The 2 groups performed on Saturday evening and gave us a extra thrilling sport than anybody may have anticipated.
The Celtics beat the Lakers, 125-121, in an extra time thriller that got here down the wire and had loads of controversy on the finish. The Celtics tied the sport with 4 seconds left in regulation when Jaylen Brown completed an and-one by way of Patrick Beverley and made the foul shot. The Lakers had one final likelihood and put the ball within the fingers of LeBron James. James drove to the basket and missed a layup as time expired, nevertheless it positive regarded like he obtained fouled. The refs by no means blew the whistle.
The NBA has already decided they obtained the decision flawed. Watch the video of the play right here:
Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at the play that makes it apparent James was fouled:
LeBron couldn’t consider that he didn’t get the decision:
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham additionally couldn’t consider LeBron didn’t get the decision:
Darvin Ham on LeBron: “The very best participant on Earth cannot get a name. It is superb.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 29, 2023
Anthony Davis might be going to get fined for his feedback on the final play of regulation:
Patrick Beverley even introduced a digital camera out to the ground to indicate the refs video of the play. That is a completely unbelievable second:
Patrick Beverley grabbed a digital camera and walked throughout the court docket to indicate the ref the decision he missed on LeBron.
He obtained a technical foul. pic.twitter.com/HBIQBblUi6
— Motion Community (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 29, 2023
The Celtics enhance to 36-15 on the season. The Lakers at the moment are 23-27 general. James continues to play at a remarkably excessive degree — he completed with 41 factors, 9 rebounds, and eight assists on 15-of-30 taking pictures from the ground — however the Lakers simply don’t have sufficient supporting expertise as Anthony Davis slowly works his means again from harm.
The Lakers are not any stranger to having a name go in opposition to them late this season:
Lakers may as effectively simply take their workforce off the court docket in protest. That is 4 video games that this has occurred now simply this season.
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) January 29, 2023
The Lakers obtained screwed by the refs, however they didn’t do themselves any favors with their horrible late-game administration both.
This has been an issue all season. The Lakers put themselves in place to get killed by one errant whistle.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) January 29, 2023
The league admitted they obtained the decision flawed after the sport:
The NBA has already decided in its postgame evaluation that the officers obtained the decision flawed on the Lakers’ final possession of the 4th Q and a Jayson Tatum ought to have been known as for a taking pictures foul on LeBron James, league sources advised ESPN.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 29, 2023
The Final Two Minute Report isn’t going to make the Lakers really feel any higher tomorrow. James ought to have been going to the road for game-winning free throws.