San Antonio Spurs: 5 Takeaways From Game 5 vs. Thunder
Officials Miss Another Key Call
In the closing seconds of Game 2, Dion Waiters elbowed Manu Ginobili prior to making an inbounds pass, but for some reason the officials didn’t see that sequence.
Ironically, history repeated itself in the closing moments of this contest. The Thunder led 92-91 with 8.5 seconds left in regulation and Kawhi Leonard grabbed Westbrook as he began to drive towards the basket.
Anyone with a working pair of eyes can see that a foul was committed, but for some inexplicable reason, the officials did not blow the whistle. If the foul is called and Westbrook makes the free throws, the Spurs still have a chance to send the game into overtime on their next possession.
Instead, Westbrook drove to the basket and drew a foul on LaMarcus Aldridge and converted the free throw, which essentially ended the game.
"“He fouled him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said via CBS Sports. “It’s pretty obvious that he fouled him. Sometimes you get a call; sometimes you don’t. Tough game.”"
The Spurs will more than likely agree that they had plenty of opportunities to win the game, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that the officials missed an obvious foul in the closing moments for the second time in this series.
Next: Home Court Disadvantage