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The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 98-97 on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum, after Kyrie Irving's tough, off-balance runner over the outstretched arms of multiple defenders failed to drop as time expired. The victory gave Milwaukee the season series over Boston, ensuring the team with the league's best record would have home-court advantage over the green and gold in the off chance they finish the regular season tied in the standings.
The Last Two Minute Report of Thursday's contest, though, reveals that the Bucks received the benefit of the doubt from officials as the outcome hung in the balance. According to the league, Irving was fouled twice while making his way to the basket on the game's final play.
First, the Celtics superstar was fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who extended his leg to make contact with Irving, affecting his speed, quickness, balance, and rhythm — referred to in the report as “SQBR” — while driving to the basket. Less than a second later, Irving was fouled again by Eric Bledsoe as he attempted the game-winning field goal.
Video of the sequence in question indeed shows clear contact between Irving and his Bucks counterparts, especially Antetokounmpo.
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Milwaukee's franchise player sticks out his left leg while helping off of Al Horford on the strong-side wing, banging his shin on Irving's knee. The ensuing foul on Bledsoe is not nearly as noticeable to the naked eye, and seems like a common no-call that could be made throughout the course of a game, regardless of time and score.
The incorrect no-call on Antetokounmpo, though, appears that it most likely would have been whistled if not for referees' penchant for “letting players play” late in games.
The league's report doesn't just include wrongdoing on the part of the officials that benefited Milwaukee, though. Even before Irving caught the ball, he apparently should have been called for a foul by setting a moving screen on Khris Middleton.
