NBA fans were surprised by a late-game call during the Dallas Mavericks’ Game 3 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A controversial jump ball occurred late in the fourth quarter of the second round NBA playoff game between the home team Mavericks and the Thunder.
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Trailing 102-99, the Thunder were on the attack when Perry Jones drove to the rim and tried to pass the ball to Luguentz Dortz in the right corner.
However, the ball was deflected in the air as Dortz and Mavericks star Luka Doncic jumped to try and gain possession.
Doncic and Dortz briefly grabbed the ball at the same time before they both fell to the ground and the latter caught the ball and passed it to Oklahoma City teammate Jalen Williams.
But the referees blew the whistle a few seconds after Dortz had removed the ball.
Williams, who received the ball and was on his way to a contested layup before the whistle, was surprised by the decision.
Meanwhile, Doncic, who entered the game with numerous injuries, fell to the ground and was in pain.
But the five-time NBA All-Star stayed in the game and even won the ensuing jump ball against Dortz.
Dallas held the lead and won the game, giving them a 2–1 series lead.
NBA fans were still perplexed by the referees’ decision on a jump ball late in the fourth quarter.
“I’ve never seen a whistle later than this jump ball call. Luka Doncic is rolling around like he was shot in battle. The NBA is so rigged.” one said.
“Hey @NBA you have a rigged product and everyone knows it,” commented another.
“The NBA is rigged,” posted a third.
“You can’t make this up,” said a fourth.
Doncic and teammate Kyrie Irving scored 22 points.
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Mavericks forward PJ Washington scored 27 points – just two shy of his playoff high in the team’s Game 2 victory.
Thunder star and 2023 MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 31 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
NBA Western Conference Playoffs
First round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 4-0 New Orleans Pelicans (8)
Los Angeles Clippers (4) 2-4 Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 4-0 Phoenix Suns (6)
Denver Nuggets (2) 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) x Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2)
Oklahoma City has now lost two straight games after starting 5-0 in the postseason.
Dallas and the Thunder will play Game 4 on Monday night.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
