NBA: Siakam’s Screen Should Have Been Whistled in Pacers’ Win Over Celtics
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The NBA acknowledged on Tuesday that officials missed an illegal screen by Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam moments before his go-ahead basket against the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
In its Last Two Minutes Report, the league ruled there was an “incorrect non-call” when Siakam set the pick that toppled Boston guard Derrick White at the top of the three-point arc. The forward reclaimed the ball from Andrew Nembhard, pump-faked, and buried a leaning jumper from just inside the foul line with 6.1 seconds remaining, sealing Indiana’s 98-96 victory.
“Siakam is late to establish a screening position in White’s path and does not give him the time or distance to change direction and avoid the contact,” the report stated.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla underscored the issue immediately after the loss, answering all six postgame questions with the same phrase: “illegal screen.”
The missed call is the latest grievance Boston has raised about officiating. On Saturday, star guard Jaylen Brown criticized referees following a loss to the San Antonio Spurs in which the Celtics attempted just four free throws. The NBA fined Brown $35,000 on Monday for those comments.
Source: ESPN
