Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson declined to blame officials for three missed calls during the final minute of Indiana’s 120-119 victory over Cleveland in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The NBA’s report noted missed violations, including a lane violation by Tyrese Haliburton before his winning 3-pointer. Despite criticisms, Atkinson emphasized concerns about losing a 20-point lead and acknowledged mistakes by coaches and players. He expressed frustration with various decisions but noted both teams faced officiating inconsistencies. The series moves to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday, with Pacers coach Rick Carlisle asserting that his team didn’t receive any referee advantages.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson declined to hold officials accountable for what the NBA stated were three incorrect non-calls in the final minute of the game, which included one that led to Tyrese Haliburton’s winning 3-pointer. Indiana triumphed over Cleveland 120-119 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday night.
According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report released Wednesday, two lane violations and a defensive 3 seconds violation were missed. These reports are published the day after games with a margin of three points or fewer at any point in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.
The league indicated that Haliburton should have been penalized for a lane violation after stepping over the free throw line before the missed foul shot touched the rim, with 12.4 seconds left and Indiana down 119-117.
After the ball was deflected by several players, Haliburton secured the offensive rebound, advanced to the 3-point line, and executed a winning step-back shot from the top of the key, leading the Pacers back from a 20-point deficit in the second half and taking a 2-0 series lead.
However, Haliburton was not the only one guilty of a lane violation during this play, as the NBA noted that multiple players entered the lane.
Atkinson, who was recognized as the NBA’s Coach of the Year on Monday, expressed greater concern over how the Cavaliers squandered their lead and allowed Indiana to score the final eight points in 47.9 seconds for the win.
“We tend to have recency bias. In those last 30 seconds, how did you lose that 20-point lead?” Atkinson remarked after practice on Thursday. “I’d say it was a combination of coaching decisions, player choices, and referee calls. All of us made mistakes. If you tally these up, that minus-20 turns into, oh wow. We had plenty of moments where we could have turned things around. I share some of that accountability.”
The NBA also noted that several players committed lane violations with 48 seconds left following a missed free throw from Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, including Aaron Nesmith, whose dunk off the rebound cut the Pacers’ deficit to 118-113.
Additionally, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell should have faced a 3-second violation with 15 seconds remaining, resulting in a technical foul that would have awarded Indiana one free throw while retaining possession of the ball.
While Atkinson expressed concerns over some of the non-calls and felt that physical play had been excessive, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pointed out that his team had been called for nine more fouls than the Cavaliers.
The series now moves to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday.
“We’re not looking for any favors from the referees, and I don’t think we received any in the first two games. I know there were disagreements on calls; it’s all part of the game,” Carlisle stated.