J.B. Bickerstaff believes the Cavaliers got away with a late Jarrett Allen foul in Game 5
· Yahoo Sports
J.B. Bickerstaff believes the Cavaliers got away with a late Jarrett Allen foul in Game 5 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are now 3-2 up against the Detroit Pistons after a huge overtime win at Little Caesars Arena. It was the Cavaliers' first road win of the postseason, and it came at a crucial time in their run.
Visit somethingsdifferent.biz for more information.
Unfortunately, the Pistons and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff pointed out after the game that Ausar Thompson got tripped in the final play of regulation by Jarrett Allen. If it had been given, the Pistons could have won had Thompson made at least one free throw.
J.B. Bickerstaff knows the Cavaliers with a crucial foul in Game 5
It has been quite an eventful series for the Cavaliers and the Pistons when it comes to the officiating. Earlier in the series, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed out that they were not getting calls even when they were driving.
In response, Bickerstaff pointed out that those comments played a role in a big shift in the free-throw attempts between the two teams. Now in Game 5, there is yet another additional thread with the officiating.
MORE: J.B. Bickerstaff points out that Kenny Atkinson's comments changed the referees' calls
Unfortunately for the Pistons, Thompson was clearly tripped, but the officials did not call it. That is a legitimate grievance for Bickerstaff, his players, and their fans. They lost the game, which is an even bigger blow for all of them.
"He fouled Ausar. Clear. He trips him when he's going for a loose ball. In any game situation, that's tough," Bickerstaff said about Allen tripping Thompson.
Now, the Cavaliers are headed into Game 6 at home. They can advance into the Eastern Conference Finals, but a lot of people would think how much it could have gone the other way had the foul been called.
More NBA news:
- Donovan Mitchell reveals that he and James Harden are well aware of their turnover problems
- Why the Cavaliers traded Caris LeVert away to the Pistons
- How James Harden knew he had to shoulder a heavy load in Game 5
- Donovan Mitchell reveals why he was motivated to bounce back after a slow first half in Game 4
- Inside the Cavaliers' 23-0 run in the third quarter of Game 4, which set a new franchise record