The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 3 loss to the Dallas Mavericks received extra salt in the wound with the Last Two Minutes Report.
The L2M Report indicated a pair of officiating mistakes hurt the Thunder. The first included Luka Doncic getting away with a turnover: He palmed the basketball with a 102-99 lead with 1:50 left.
The non-call was inconsequential because Doncic missed a stepback jumper. The second mistake was more costly though.
A controversial jump ball created outrage among Thunder fans. With OKC trailing, 102-99, with 1:32 left, the referees called for a jump ball between Lu Dort and Doncic.
The L2M report admitted it should’ve been a non-call. Both players had their hands on the loose ball and the play shouldn’t have been stopped for a held ball.
Doncic won the jump ball and gained Dallas an extra possession. It was a costly mistake considering the Thunder lost a one-possession game. The Thunder could’ve created a quality look to tie the game at 101 with roughly a minute left.
The admission of the errors is a nice sign of accountability, but the damage is done. While the Thunder didn’t lose because of the officials, getting an extra possession in a three-point game could’ve played a massive role in how Game 3 turned out.
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