The Toronto Raptors certainly regret failing to close out Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, but the game's officials will likewise rue a crucial mistake in the contest's final minute.
The NBA said on Wednesday that the Raptors' Marc Gasol should have been awarded two free throws with 49 seconds left after getting fouled by Golden State's DeMarcus Cousin on a drive. The refs didn't blow the whistle in real time, though, and Gasol missed his attempt. At the time, Golden State was up 106-103, and ultimately held on to win, 106-105.
Gasol, of course, would have actually had to make the free throws to make a difference in the game, but the veteran is solid at the stripe, converting at a 76 percent rate throughout the season and an even sharper 88 percent in the playoffs. In an alternate scenario, then, it's possible Toronto would've captured the Larry O'Brien trophy right then and there, rather than having to travel back to Oakland on Thursday for Game 6.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
That said, it's not uncommon for the NBA to publicly highlight mistakes by officials after the fact — the league reviews the officiating in the final two minutes of close games — but such errors are no doubt enhanced by the stakes of Monday's game. Still, that one call doesn't change the fact that Toronto let a 6-point lead slip away in the game's waning minutes.
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or elseSpeed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA FinalsSpeed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead playersspeed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey finalSpeed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIXspeed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess championSpeed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fansSpeed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World SeriesSpeed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
