FANS were not happy with the officiating during a late-game sequence in the Boston Celtics’ 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Celtics star Derrick White made a big, but also controversial, defensive block late in the fourth quarter that virtually paved the way for a Boston victory.
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With the Celtics up five and 50 seconds remaining, Mavericks big man P.J. Washington caught a pass from teammate Kyrie Irving on the break.
Washington jumped for a dunk and White blocked it at the rim.
However, ESPN replays showed that White made contact with Washington’s hand on the block, meaning a foul could have been called.
The replay also saw Brown appear to push Washington from behind during the play.
ESPN color commentator JJ Redick said White should have been called for a foul.
And announcer Mike Breen also admitted after the game ended that the referees got the foul wrong.
The Celtics would win by seven points and take Game 2 for a 2-0 series lead.
Angry fans quickly posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain about the no-call.
“White slapped his hand. These referees cheated,” wrote one of them.
“Miss about PJ Washington, the NBA it’s RIGGED,” said another.
“Series manipulated for a double foul by the Celtics in whites and browns without marking,” commented a third.
“These referees are terrible,” added a fourth.
White finished the contest with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Jrue Holiday led the Celtics, scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Boston won despite Jayson Tatum having a rough shooting night, with 18 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
NBA Finals Schedule
Thursday, June 6 – Game 1, 8:30 p.m. ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Sun, June 9 – Game 2, 8pm ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Wednesday, June 12 – Game 3, 8:30 p.m. ET – Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, June 14 – Game 4, 8:30 p.m. ET – Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Mon, June 17 – Game 5, 8:30 pm ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Thursday, June 20 – Game 6, 8:30 p.m. ET – Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Sun, June 23 – Game 7, 8pm ET – Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists – becoming the Dallas franchise’s first NBA Finals triple-double. history.
He entered the game with a questionable designation before the initial report.
Doncic, however, only scored three points in the fourth quarter.
Irving once again struggled against his former team, scoring 16 points.
Games 3 and 4 are Wednesday and Friday in Dallas.
The Celtics are 6-0 on the road this postseason.
They have won eight games in a row and are two games away from winning the NBA Finals.
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