In a Game 5 classic that ended in controversy, the L.A. Clippers fell down a 3-2 series hole against the OKC Thunder.
Thanks to a comedy of errors, the Clips blew a 13-point lead with 4 minutes and 13 seconds to go in the ballgame, and according to head coach Doc Rivers, the refs finished them off.
The Thunder were awarded the ball with 11.3 seconds left, this despite Clippers forward Matt Barnes appearing to knock the ball off Reggie Jackson and out of bounds.
Per the L.A. Times:
“There’s no question,” Barnes said. “I’m willing to put my kids on it that that ball went off him. But they watched the replay and didn’t think so. It’s tough when you see [Thunder players] putting their heads down and the crowd starts booing, I mean everyone saw that the ball went of Jackson. We didn’t get it.”
In a statement issued by crew chief Tony Brothers, the officials watched two replays and “it was inconclusive as to who the ball went out of bounds off of. When it’s inconclusive, we have to go with the call that was on the floor” that the ball was off Barnes.
“In my opinion, let’s take away replay,” Rivers said. “Let’s take away replay, because that’s our ball and we win the game. And we got robbed because of that call. And it’s clear. Everybody in the arena saw it. That’s why everybody was shocked when they said [the ball was] for Oklahoma City. That was our ball. Whether it was a foul or not — it was. But they didn’t call it.”
Doc Rivers can expect a not-so-friendly call from the League office.
The Clippers certainly did their part to lose — Chris Paul fouled Russell Westbrook on a late three-point attempt, and then committed a horrific turnover on the final possession.
Game 6 back in Los Angeles should be great.
