The NBA is probably relieved that the Philadelphia 76ers held on in Sunday’s Game 4 against the Boston Celtics because, otherwise, officiating would have been *the* focus heading into Game 5.
It was simply atrocious in overtime.
The 76ers led by as many as 16 points while they tried to avoid going down 3-1 in the series with Boston. The Celtics would rally back and take the lead in the fourth quarter and force overtime. In the extra period, Joel Embiid appeared to give the Sixers the lead, but he was called for an offensive foul as Marcus Smart slid in to take the charge.
Joel Embiid was called for a CRUCIAL offensive foul on this collision with Marcus Smart 👀
The play was reviewed and the charge was upheld…
Good call or bad call? 🤔pic.twitter.com/vxvelLcAnU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 7, 2023
The call was reviewed and upheld despite Smart sliding in after Embiid started his gather. It didn’t appear that Smart established position in time either.
The Sixers would have to deal with another huge missed call when Jayson Tatum pushed off Tyrese Maxey before hitting a then-go-ahead three with 38 seconds to go in overtime.
Jayson Tatum pushes Maxey before the three-pointer, no foul called. pic.twitter.com/MrQb2M9lwb
— dave (@nbadaves) May 7, 2023
A late three from James Harden saved the Sixers from what would have been a demoralizing loss. But that didn’t stop NBA fans from ripping the officiating down the stretch.
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This was how Twitter reacted
Tatum sent Maxey in to the first row, no call
— PLAYOFF BASKETBALL Von Bro Dude (@ericjfink) May 7, 2023
players would stop embellishing if the refs stopped rewarding it. quite simple.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 7, 2023
Most blatant pushoff of all time.
Your refs are blind right now NBA.
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) May 7, 2023
All of a sudden the refs let them play? This is such an awful non-call. pic.twitter.com/NxgLluRRTh
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) May 7, 2023
The most obvious push off imaginable directly in front of the ref's face and they ignored it. Would've been etched into my memory for a long time had they lost this game
— ً (@_itsnotmatt) May 7, 2023
Right in front of the refs. Dont tell me this league aint rigged. pic.twitter.com/WkfVMC2LNV
— justin (@justinontwt) May 7, 2023
refs tried to cheat us and it didn’t work. harden had other plans pic.twitter.com/8fpvQrkWJv
— Evil Bron Ritual(Dark Magic) (@HardensSizeUp) May 7, 2023
HIS LEFT FOOT LITERALLY WAS MOVING! REFS HANDING CELTICS THE GAME!
— Aidan LaPorta (@aidanlaporta69) May 7, 2023
You know it was bad when they had to put out this statement immediately https://t.co/fRxkxbTfgE
— Durag McMahon (@SarkasticShogun) May 7, 2023
It’s the playoffs. These teams absolutely deserve better officiating from the NBA.
