“I don’t see it happening to anyone else. It’s weird’: LeBron James remains FURIOUS after umpires failed to call Jayson Tatum and smacked his arm on layup that could have won the LA Lakers…as officials admit they were AFTER the Boston’s OT win Celtics missed a foul
LeBron James was furious after referee Jayson missed Tatum and wiped his arm in a layup that could have given his Los Angeles Lakers team a win over the Boston Celtics.
In a 105-105 tie and just over three seconds on the clock, James drove to the basket and missed a layup.
The Lakers star thought he was clearly fouled by Tatum and reacted furiously at the decision not to signal a foul.
LeBron James was furious that the umpires missed Jayson Tatum wiping his arm on a layup
It could have given his Los Angeles Lakers team the win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday
James reacted angrily to the referees’ failure to award a foul at the end of regulation time
Gesturing wildly, he collapsed to the ground and looked in disbelief as he fell to his knees as the game went into overtime. The Lakers lost 125-121 to the leaders of the Eastern Conference.
James’ teammate Patrick Beverley recorded a technical foul for challenging officials by taking a camera and pointing out the foul at the end of the rule.
Possible game-winning free throws would have been awarded if the foul had been called by the referees.
James also posted on his official Twitter account, expressing his disbelief at the decision
James’ teammate Patrick Beverley recorded a technical foul for challenging the officials
James was visibly upset while giving an interview after the game. He said: “You saw my reaction. It’s challenging. I do not get it. I do not understand.
“It built up, you watched some of the games we lost this year, missed late game calls. We had the opportunity to literally win the game.
“The second for myself in the last few weeks, against Dallas I had an opportunity to win the game if the foul was called. I don’t understand what we’re doing.
“I watch basketball every day. I watch these games every day. I don’t see it happening to anyone else. It is strange.’
To make matters worse, referee Eric Lewis admitted the foul was missed after the Celtics sealed victory in overtime.
To make matters worse, referee Eric Lewis admitted the foul was missed following the Celtics’ OT win
Boston Globe reporter Adam Himmelsbach asked: “It looked like there was contact with LeBron’s drive at the end of regulation. Why wasn’t there a foul call and what did you see there?’
Lewis replied: “There was contact. Back then, during the game, we didn’t see a foul. The crew missed the piece.’
James’ teammate Anthony Davis said of the incident: “It’s cops***. It’s unacceptable… we were cheated tonight.’
“The best player in the world cannot be called. It’s incredible,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
“As hard as you try not to put it on the board, it’s getting harder and harder.”
Tatum declined to get involved in the controversial game, saying the game’s ending was “all a blur”.
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