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The Boston Celtics lost in a super close contest to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3. One of the most impactful plays of the game came at the very end, when the Celtics had the ball down by three points. They failed to convert, losing 103-101.
Things could have worked out differently for the Celtics if one call was reversed. Marcus Smart took the last shot for the Celtics and got fouled by Jrue Holiday. The referees ruled that Smart was doing a rip-through move and not attempting a 3-pointer, which earned him two free throws instead of three.
NBA officials ruled this a 'sweeping' move and not a shooting motion by Marcus Smart.
Should this have been 3 free throws for Smart? 🤔pic.twitter.com/4yJwwpkzvU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 7, 2022
After Smart made the first foul shot, he intentionally missed the second. The Celtics failed to score on the ensuing scramble and the Bucks took the win and the series advantage.
Smart believes the officials made the wrong call. Celtics head coach Ime Udoka also believes the officials made the wrong call. However, he also admitted that this team wasn't perfect. He pointed out how they let the third quarter get away from them.
Ime Udoka maintains the officials got it wrong on the Smart foul call, but the real issue was the way the Celtics played in the third quarter. Especially staying tough against Giannis and his extreme physicality.
“Overall the refs have a rough job as far as that.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) May 8, 2022
Boston has a lot to work on for Game 4. Jayson Tatum has to bounce back from a pitiful performance and the team has to work on containing Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 42 points. They are still in it, but the Celtics have to step up their level of play, especially in the games in Milwaukee.
