Ime Udoka calls out referees after Celtics’ narrow Game 3 loss
Mar 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka watches from the sideline as they take on the Utah Jazz in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Ime Udoka probably felt like the Milwaukee Bucks had three extra players during Saturday’s Game 3.
The Boston Celtics head coach Udoka called out the officiating following his team’s narrow 103-101 loss to the Bucks in Milwaukee. Udoka revealed that the referees told him that “if they don’t fall down, we’re not going to call it” with regard to charging calls.
“I guess they want guys to flop more,” said a dismayed Udoka, per Celtics writer Keith Smith.
The Celtics definitely seemed like the more aggrieved team on Saturday. Several potential offensive fouls went uncalled on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s patented bowling-ball drives into the lane. Antetokounmpo also drew a truly ridiculous defensive foul on Grant Williams at one point, while Jrue Holiday appeared to get away with a pushoff on Jayson Tatum before making the game-sealing shot.
https://twitter.com/THEPlLGRlM/status/1523051389509074944
JRUE HOLIDAY. CLUTCH 🔥
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/UOMHaDDmVx
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 7, 2022
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart was fouled while seemingly in the act of shooting a possible game-tying three-pointer, but the referees only awarded him two free throws. Even so, the Celtics still came close to miraculously tying it.
Gramted, some Boston players probably don’t need to be told to flop more. But that sounds like exactly what the referees are incentivizing here with that purported exchange with Udoka.
