“Cheating”: Heartbreak at the Buzzer for LeBron James, Followed Up by Nail Biting OT Loss Left Anthony Davis Distraught

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics served up an instant classic at the TD Garden on Saturday night. Role players stepped up to make big plays down the stretch, this game had it all. The Celtics eventually won the hard-fought game in OT behind big performances from their star players. However, one moment during the closing stages of the game has become the biggest talking point of the night. LeBron James and the Lakers were left distraught with the result and Anthony Davis vented out his frustration after the game.

NBA officials have been under scrutiny over their inconsistent performances this season. The Lakers-Celtics game once again put the referees under the spotlight. The game was closely contested throughout and there were some big plays from both teams in the clutch. However, when it all came down to the final possession, the Lakers were left furious.

NBA fans support Anthony Davis’ cheating claim

The 8x All-Star was distraught after the game. As per Dave McMenamin, Davis said the Lakers felt “cheated” by the officials. He suggested that the league should fine referees for missed calls to improve accountability.

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NBA fans on Twitter backed Davis’ comments and bashed the officials. Here are some of the best reactions:

No-call on LeBron James left the Lakers furious

The Lakers had the final possession of the game with 4 seconds left on the clock. As LeBron James drove to the basket, he was fouled by Jayson Tatum. However, the referees missed the obvious call which left the whole Lakers team raging. Patrick Beverley even showed the replay of the play to the officials on camera which earned him a technical foul.

Eventually, the Celtics ran away with the game in OT as the Lakers looked exhausted and frustrated. Along with Davis, LeBron, head coach Darwin Ham and many others condemned the officiating during the game. James called it “weird” that he didn’t get the calls that other stars in the league get. Ham asked for consistency from the officials.

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The Lakers will be looking to move on from this disappointment as they face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Moreover, they will be hoping for a better result as the battle for the Playoff spots heats up in the West. On the other hand, the Celtics also face the Nets next on February 1st. What are your thoughts on the officiating? Let us know in the comments.