The Philadelphia 76ers won Game 4 to equal the series 2-2 against the Boston Celtics. The match saw several turnarounds but the Sixers coach Doc Rivers was not happy with a play. This play involved Jayson Tatum pushing off Tyeres Maxey for a clutch three-pointer.
Ultimately, the Sixers got a corner three from their star man James Harden, who won them the game for the hosts in overtime. Little earlier, Tatum also dropped a contested three but many people felt that it was a push-off from the Celtics’ superstar.
While the Sixers have won the game and are right back in the series, Rivers simply cannot swallow such a no-call from the referees. Following the game, he reveals how it should have been an offensive foul on Tatum on the clutch three-pointer.
“Jayson Tatum’s three was awful that that wasn’t called. Awful,” Rivers said. “Did you think it was a push-off? … It was a push-off!”
He also highlighted how the referees were very strict during the game. Rivers is not happy with how the referees are officiating so strictly throughout the game and did not call a clear offensive foul. He felt that it could have decided the game much earlier for the Sixers.
“The reason that it bugged me is because it’s the end of the game and there were these touch fouls,” Rivers said.
“Now, Jayson Tatum has a 360 foul. Marcus Smart gets tangled up; touch foul. So, if we’re gonna call it that way, then you have to call that. To me, you gotta call that play. I know it’s a big play, and I’m a big fan of refs not deciding (games), but that could have decided the game.”
After a sensational Game 1, Harden repeats his feat with 42 points game and had eight boards and nine assists. He also had four steals and struck six three-pointers. He guided the Sixers to a 116-115 win as Marcus Smart’s three-pointer, in the end, did not drop in on time.
The series is exceptionally poised and could go either way. The Celtics might feel they lost an opportunity to hold their lead, whereas the Sixers may just start to believe that they can progress through to the next round.
