NBA Playoff action between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat ended in controversy. Game two ended with Jimmy Butler sealing the game at the buzzer. However, it wasn’t a slick jump shot but two free throw shots. Butler got a controversial foul from Giannis Antetokounmpo at the buzzer to initiate contact.
Miami won game one 116-114 to take a 2-0 advantage in the series. While the Heat has outplayed the Bucks, this game may haunt Milwaukee later. Making up a two-game deficit won’t be easy, especially against the motivated and well-coached Miami Heat. But there is no telling how OT could have gone if the foul wasn’t given.
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It generated so much chatter that the NBA posted a replay review hours after the game was over, standing by their decision. In the video, you can see that Butler was falling despite the contact. However, contact was made, so the foul stood.
Replay Review (Taylor): timing of foul by Antetokounmpo in Q4 of #MIAatMIL. Ruling: Butler released shot attempt prior to time expiring, therefore play is live until he returns to floor; officials ruled contact by Antetokounmpo impacted Butler's balance + ability to land normally pic.twitter.com/HvgeJQKGEp
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) September 3, 2020
NBA Playoffs marred by referee blunder?
I don’t think this call is as controversial as people are making it out to be. While the contact was soft, it did take place. Modern NBA is geared around generating contact in situations like that for free throws. That is why defense is so much more valuable and impressive now. The limitations around it are crazy.
If the issue at hand is the general culture around fouling, then it is a different conversation. People have compared how easily players like James Harden get to the line because of how the rules allow them. This has made flopping just as more commonplace.
This game is unfortunate in how this ended up being such a crucial call. Did the referees stretch it a little too close by giving Butler that foul on the buzzer? Perhaps. But the instant replay shows that a foul took place within the existing boundaries of the game. Even if people don’t like it, that has to be respected.
The Miami Heat will face the Milwaukee Bucks in game three action in a couple of days. Whether Milwaukee has the championship spirit that people say they lack will be seen in this game. Miami is well-ahead of their timeline and looks like genuine contenders right now.
