The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially one win away from the ECF after a wild 117-113 win over the Pistons! But all anyone is talking about is the ‘trip’ on Ausar Thompson that went uncalled; Yankee Scores reports. 

NBA said officials got it right when they did not call a foul against Jarrett Allen in the dying moments of regulation play in Game 5 between the Cavaliers and Pistons on Thursday.

Cleveland defeated Detroit in the overtime period with a scoreline of 117-113, but the officials’ failure to call a foul against Allen who made physical contact with Ausar Thompson when he was chasing a loose ball caused heated discussions at the end of the fourth quarter.

Pistons Outraged, NBA Stands Firm

Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed with Thompson’s opinion regarding the officials’ decision to not make a foul call. “[Allen] fouled Ausar — clearly. He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball.”

The league, through their report of the Last Two Minutes, disagreed.

“Allen and Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact,” it read.

If a foul had been called, Thompson would be heading for free throws with the game at 103 all.

Cavaliers on the Brink of History

Cleveland won by four points in overtime, making it their first away game win of the playoffs, moving to a 3-2 series lead.

After the game, the referee’s crew chief, Tony Brothers, was interviewed about the failure to call a foul.

Had there been an official whistle for a foul, Thompson would have lined up at the free-throw line when the scoreboard read 103-103.

However, the Cavaliers won by four points in overtime to record their first away win of the playoffs and gain a 3-2 lead in the series.

Brothers, who oversaw the game, came under scrutiny over his officiating.

“During live play, both players were going for the ball, and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball,” he said via the pool report.

In response to whether there should not have been a foul called, Brothers stated, “No, there was incidental contact during the play. The league will look into the situation tomorrow and post the play in the L2M.”

What’s Next?

The sixth game will be played on Friday in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers will take the next step to the conference semifinals by facing the Knicks.