The Boston Celtics lost in Game 3 by the Milwaukee Bucks (101:103) and then quarreled with the referees. Especially the foul against Marcus Smart 5 seconds before the end caused discussions.
The Bucks led by 3 points when Boston got the ball again and thus an opportunity for overtime. Marcus Smart had the ball on the perimeter and was about to throw it, when Bucks guard Jrue Holiday grabbed between the ball and arm and committed a clear foul. However, the referees did not decide on a shooting foul and three free throws, instead they rated it as a “rip through” and Smart was only allowed to throw two freebies.
“He catches the ball and starts his throwing movement,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka was annoyed about the decision. “His feet are ready, he wants to throw. That was a bad decision.” Smart also saw it that way and referred to the game situation. So it wouldn’t have made any sense to do the rip-through move because Boston needed three points instead of two.
“We knew they were going to foul and I was already in my throwing motion, the referees saw it differently.” Still, the Celtics almost forced an overtime because Smart missed the second free throw on purpose and Al Horford’s tip-in was milliseconds too late.
But that’s not the only reason Boston was dissatisfied with the referee team. From the Celtics’ point of view, the refs let too much go through the drives of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was the top scorer of the game with 42 points. “They explained it to me that if nobody goes down they don’t whistle. Now I have to teach my boys how to flop better.”
It really wasn’t the referees’ best evening, but that was true for both sides, so it was hardly surprising that the Bucks weren’t satisfied either. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer had passionate discussions with the refs several times during the game and Antetokounmpo also had his opinions, which he preferred to keep to himself.
“How much does it cost me to rate a ref’s performance? Is that $20,000? I shouldn’t be doing that because it’s a lot of money. I have to pay for diapers after all.”
NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Bucks – The series at a glance
| Spiel | Datum | time | Heim | away | result |
| 1 | 1st May | 19 o’clock | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | 89:101 |
| 2 | 4. May | 1 O ‘clock | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | 109:86 |
| 3 | May 7 | 9:30 p.m | Milwaukee Bucks | Boston Celtics | 103:101 |
| 4 | May 10 | 1:30 | Milwaukee Bucks | Boston Celtics | – |
| 5 | 12. May | 1 O ‘clock | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | – |
| 6* | 14. May | TBD | Milwaukee Bucks | Boston Celtics | – |
| 7* | 16. May | TBD | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | – |
*if necessary