This Monday, the referees recognized their mistake in a crucial play in the controversial Knicks-Pacers outcome that the New Yorkers ended up winning 121-117 to take a 1-0 lead in this Eastern semifinal against Indiana.
In a very tight finale there were several controversial plays such as a block with 12 seconds remaining and with Indiana attacking to take the lead that ended with a foul by Myles Turner and the ball for the Knicks.
However, the referees discussed another controversial decision: a play in which Aaron Nesmith stole the ball with 52 seconds left and the score tied but was whistled for touching it with his foot.
Instead of a counterattack for Indiana, which already had the ball in its possession and launched the transition, the subsequent possession ended with a three-pointer by Donte DiVincenzo that would prove essential for the locals’ victory.
“On the court we thought it was a foot fault. The post-game review showed that he had hit the defender’s hand, which would be legal,” referee Zach Zarba admitted according to the NBA pool.
That mistake was especially cruel for the Pacers since, as the referees also detailed, foot fouls cannot be reviewed or be the subject of a challenge by the coaches.
Jalen Brunson (43 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) was once again the hero of the Knicks who will go for a 2-0 victory against the Pacers on Wednesday in a game that will also be played in New York.
The current NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, are just two steps from the abyss, after the Minnesota Timberwolves, with an absolutely memorable defensive performance, destroyed them 80-106 this Monday and won their second game in a row in Denver ( 0-2).
These amazing and relentless Wolves, who have won in their six playoff games (they swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0 in the first round), now take a huge advantage to Minnesota against a Nuggets that is overwhelmed and has no answer until the moment against those led by Anthony Edwards.
Jokic almost hit the triple-double (16 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists) but did not have his day in shooting (5 of 13). Even worse was Murray’s night with 8 points and 13 rebounds but a dismal 3 of 18. Between the two Nuggets stars they committed 8 of their team’s 16 turnovers.
Only five teams in NBA history have come back from a playoff after losing the first two games of the series at home. The third game of this series will be played this Friday in Minneapolis, which will also host the fourth game on Sunday.
