Going into last night's game there was a lot of discussion about the referees that were picked for the game. Of the 3 refs last night, the Cavs lost only 2 games all season with them on the job and those 2 losses were at the very end of the season when LeBron and several others were sitting out. Most Celtics fans realized that their team would have to beat both the refs and the Cavs if they wanted to win this game.
The refs lived down to all expectations. At one point in the first half, there was an 18 to 4 foul advantage in favor of the Cavaliers. It ended up being 38-18 and it wasn't because the Celtics weren't being aggressive. They just were not getting any calls while the Cavs were getting calls for the slightest contact. LeBron took 15 free throws all by himself, just 3 less than the whole Celtics team. Even the Cavs fans were embarrassed by the fact that the refs were trying to give them the game in the 4th quarter and they couldn't take it. Here is a sampling of the comments from the Cavs' boards during their "come-back run" that was fueled by the referees.
The refs are letting us back into a game we don't deserve.
Haha. Bavetta trying to make it a close game. Horrible call.
Every call is going our way people... The refs want this to happen... The Refs will it!
Wow, ALL the calls are going against Boston right now... God willing the Cavs win, Celtic fans have a legitimate gripe.
I do not want to win. The refs are literally keeping us in the game now.
Dick Bavetta is doing us a big favor this game.
If the Cavs win this game it is going to be entirely because of the refs.
Ohhhhh, did Delonte deserve an Academy Award for THAT one…lol
Wow the D. Stern effect is in full gear
Wow of all the loose ball fouls they could have called on the Celtics, they call that on us? Well, they deserved a call or two... Or 3.
LOL they smacked Perkins twice, no call...
But yet, the Celtics defense and their play was strong enough to weather a 31-16 foul disadvantage and a barrage of calls that went against them in the 4th quarter and come away with a win. This should make Cavs fans ashamed and worried. Ashamed that it takes the referees to help their team win a game and worried because even playing 5 on 8, the Celtics blew them out on their home court.
After reading Tim Donaghy's book Personal Foul, I have become a supporter of his. I believe what he said in the book and feel that he is trying to help get the NBA back to being an athletic contest rather than just a show, which it is becoming with the referee interference in games. This morning, with last night's officiating still on my mind, I listened to an interview with Tim Donaghy on Celtic Pride that the guys at Celtics Stuff Live posted. I'm reposting it here because the NBA is in trouble and the more the word gets out, the more chance there is that maybe something can be done to save it.
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