Slow start and controversial end lead to Pistons’ Game 3 loss vs. Knicks
In their first home playoff game in six years, the Detroit Pistons sustained a 118-116 loss to the New York Knicks.
Detroit — The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report indicated that the referees’ decision not to call Jalen Brunson for a backcourt violation was correct. The situation took place during the final seconds of the Detroit Pistons’ 118-116 Game 3 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday night.
After Brunson received an inbound pass from Mikal Bridges, he appeared to have committed a backcourt violation. However, officials allowed Brunson to regain possession of the ball, which led to a foul on Ausar Thompson.
“Brunson’s momentum carries him into the backcourt when he first touches the ball, so he is not considered to be in a positive frontcourt position,” the Last Two Minute Report stated. “A player does not attain frontcourt status until they have established a positive position in that half of the court.”
The in-game ruling caused considerable frustration for the Pistons, further adding to the team’s growing dissatisfaction with the officiating in Game 3.
“It is what it is at the end of the day,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “I feel like, for ourselves, we’ve got to do a better job not putting those guys in that position (drawing fouls). Got to try to do a better job of giving ourselves a better opportunity to win the ball game and win on our terms.”
The Last Two Minute Report also indicated that the game clock “erroneously started early” after Brunson’s split free-throw attempts at the 0.5 mark of the fourth quarter. Since no player touched the ball, the game clock should not have started.
“After communicating with the Replay Center, it is determined that there were 0.5 seconds remaining on the game clock at the time of the clock malfunction,” the report stated. “Since Detroit would imminently possess the ball, play resumes with Detroit’s possession.”
The lone incorrect call came during the Pistons’ final offensive possession. Jalen Duren tried to connect with Cade Cunningham with an inbound pass but committed a turnover by throwing the ball away. The Last Two Minute Report concluded that Duren committed a travel violation during his attempt.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
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