Boston Celtics star guard Kemba Walker found himself on the short end of a call in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night.
He was closely defending Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler late in the second quarter when he got an elbow to the chin and flopped hard to sell the offensive foul call. The four-time All-Star, however, was whistled for a blocking foul.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens challenged the call, but it was deemed unsuccessful. In silent disgust, the 30-year-old Kemba Walker just shook his head and smiled at the referees.
ESPN analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson also disagreed with the call, agreeing that it should have been the other way.
As expected in a possible closeout game, the opening half was tight and physical with the Heat and the Celtics getting whistled for 13 and 12 fouls, respectively. The boys from South Beach attempted 18 free throws in the half alone, making 14 of them.
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