The Chicago Bulls’ 104-103 win against the Boston Celtics on Thursday came thanks to two Jimmy Butler free throws. On the final possession of the game, Butler fired a turnaround jump shot that missed, but one that was whistled for a foul when Marcus Smart touched his elbow.
Bulls steal a win against Celtics thanks to controversial last-second foul
Jimmy Butler knocked down both clutch free throws, but should he have even been at the line?
Here’s the play.
Here’s one more look.
Technically, by the rulebook, making contact with a shooter (especially on his shooting hand) is a foul. There’s no doubt Marcus Smart made contact, but by the loosest, least notable definition of made contact that exists. You’d like to think that referees only call shooting fouls when the contact visibly affects a shot and limits the shooter’s chance to hit it. That sure didn’t see to be the case here, technicalities aside.
The clock doesn’t stop, so you can see time would have run out and the game would have been over if not for the foul call. Instead, Boston had only a second left and obviously failed to hit a game-winner.
Isaiah Thomas wasn’t pleased.
Celtics fans won’t be, either.
