It was a heartbreaking loss for the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Up for most of the game, the team succumbed to a late Oklahoma City Thunder rally that now results in a deadlocked series (2-2). It was also a loss that saw many Mavericks fans in uproar over an alleged missed call. With 1:17 remaining in the game, Thunder wingman Jalen Williams was able to throw down a crucial baseline dunk. However, it looked like there was a possible double dribble before his basket.
Williams tried catching a pass on the left wing with one hand, and he appeared to have dribbled the ball before fully securing it with both hands. With Dereck Lively playing tight defense, Williams then took additional baseline dribbles to blow past his man and score the dunk, much to the surprise of the spectators in the American Airlines Center. Here's the clip below.
This drew plenty of reactions from Dallas fans online, who were less than pleased at not hearing a whistle during the play.
The official Pool Report is out
A Pool Report interview with crew chief Zach Zarba was conducted after the game, and the findings would surely make Mavericks fans even angrier. Interestingly, the officials stood by their decision to keep the action rolling, saying that Williams “never gained control of the basketball.”
“The answer is no,” Zarba said, when asked if Williams committed a double dribble. “We felt Williams never gained control of that basketball. Therefore, he’s allowed to initiate a dribble after he secures it. Post-game video review confirmed our on-court ruling.”
“What typically signifies the control of the basketball?” The Athletic's Tim Cato then asked.
“It’s got to be a controlled dribble, possession of the ball, generally something that you would reset the shot clock on if it was a turnover,” Zarba replied. “For example, if that would have been stolen and that action would have occurred, you would not have reset the shot clock on that play because it’s not deemed a possession. That was more a bat that was more of a bat than a fumble than a controlled dribble. Therefore, he’s allowed after he secures it to initiate the dribble.” (per official.nba.com)
What went wrong for the Mavericks in Game 4?
Well, it looks like Mavs supporters have to live with that for now. Besides, a basketball game is decided by many factors, and on Monday, Dallas' performance had plenty to do with it.
Free-throw shooting was the biggest eyesore in Game 4. Overall, the Mavericks shot 12-of-23 (52.2%) as a team. They only lost by four, so it's easy for fans to lament what could have been if the team made more of their charity-stripe opportunities.
Furthermore, their stars struggled from the field. Luka Doncic may have garnered a triple-double, but he only shot 30% from the floor and committed seven turnovers. Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, finished with just nine points.
Nevertheless, the series isn't over yet. Game 5 will be held in Oklahoma City, and it'll be another chance for the Mavericks to bounce back and take control of the series once again.
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