The NBA has released its "Last Two Minute Report" following Thursday night's controversial first game of the Finals, and its safe to say Cavs fans won't be happy.
Much was made of the referees' decision to review and subsequently overturn a charging foul against Kevin Durant against LeBron James. The officials eventually ruled James had actually blocked Durant, awarding the Golden State superstar two free throws which gave the Warriors a one-point lead.
Cavs head coach Ty Lue insisted his team was "robbed," and James himself told reporters, "I read that play just as well as I've read any play in my career, maybe in my life." Many felt the play never should've been reviewed in the first place, as James was clearly outside the so-called "restricted area" directly underneath the basket.
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On Friday, however, the NBA not only said the referees were correct in choosing to review the call, but also proclaimed the decision to reverse the foul from a charge to a block was the correct one.
The league's full statement in its report read:
The crew was not reasonably certain whether James (CLE) was in the restricted area after an offensive foul was called against Durant (GSW). Upon replay review, it was confirmed that James was outside the restricted area. The referees also reviewed whether James was in a legal guarding position, which is an additional reviewable matter for this replay trigger. Replay showed James was not in a legal guarding position because he was turning his body and moving into Durant when contact occurred. Thus the initial call on the floor was overturned and James was assessed a blocking foul.
In addition, the report also deemed a foul should've been called on Warriors forward Draymond Green with 12.1 seconds left for affecting LeBron James' "freedom of movement." This would've sent James to the free throw line instead of George Hill eight seconds later. A lane violation against Green on Hill's second free throw attempt was also missed, but the league ruled this error "incidental or immaterial."