The ending of the Milwaukee Bucks-Phoenix Suns overtime thriller on Monday was marred by a controversy involving PJ Tucker. The visiting Suns escaped with a razor-close 128-127 win after Devin Booker sank a free throw with .3 seconds left on the clock.
However, not a lot of pundits agree with the final call of the ball game which ultimately decided the outcome. With the game tied at 127, Booker had the ball in his hands in the dying seconds of the match and was blanketed by Bucks stopper Jrue Holiday.
Anticipating that the Suns All-Star will be taking the shot for himself, Bucks forward PJ Tucker came over to help but was called for what looked to be a phantom foul, as Booker launched a tough fadeaway jumper.
Foul…Game! pic.twitter.com/L5UeYOvlhd
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 20, 2021
As you can see in the replay, Tucker barely grazed Booker in that final shot. He practically got his arms out of the way just to avoid the contact. Making matters more questionable was the fact that Booker did not seem to beat the buzzer before his shot release. If that's the case, no foul should have been called and the match should have gone to a second overtime for the Bucks.
Nonetheless, the refs stood by their crucial call on the floor and the Suns improved their record to 41-16, while Milwaukee dropped to 35-22, as the Bucks fell further behind the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Devin Booker came away with 24 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block in 44 minutes of action for the Suns, who remain right behind the Utah Jazz in the pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference. The Suns are still ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers in the fight for the No. 2 seed in the West.
Do you agree with the officials' decision to send Booker to the line in that final possession, costing the Bucks in the process? You be the judge.
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