The NBA said Thursday that officials were correct in not calling a foul on
Jarrett Allen in the closing seconds of regulation of Game 5 between the
Cavaliers and
Pistons in Detroit.
Cleveland went on to win
117-113 in overtime Wednesday night, but it was the no-call on Allen, who made contact with
Ausar Thompson as the Pistons' guard was going after a loose ball, that led to some controversy in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
Thompson protested the decision, and after the loss, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff concurred, adding: "[Allen] fouled Ausar -- clearly. He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball."
The league, via its
Last Two Minutes Report, 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 have gone to the free throw line with the score tied 103-103.
Instead, Cleveland came away with the four-point victory in overtime -- its first on the road this postseason -- to take a 3-2 series lead.
