The Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in a classic game that could very well have been an Eastern Conference Finals preview. The Heat won 97-94, but not before Paul George was given a look at a game-tying 3-pointer as time expired. Was he fouled on the play?
George came off a screen to gain just enough separation from LeBron James to have a look at the basket. LeBron, who had to recover on the play, appeared to grab George by the waist. It’s unclear if the contact was enough to alter the shot, but there’s no debating that LeBron had his hands on George while the Pacers star was in the air. George was furious that there was no call.
A lot of people are going to claim no whistle was blown because officials give LeBron special treatment, and they could be right. However, that’s a play that referees let go 99% of the time. There usually has to be more contact than that for a foul to be called with the game on the line.
George finished the game with 25, eight rebounds and six assists. James scored 24, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out seven assists and had to be restrained from going after a teammate. The game had the feel of a postseason slugfest.
Video via GIFD Sports
GIF via SB Nation
