The Cavs were on the wrong end of a missed call that could’ve changed the outcome of Sunday’s game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had plenty of chances to win Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic. They missed four threes in the final minute that would’ve either tied or taken the lead. That said, the Cavs would’ve approached that situation differently if the correct call had been made shortly before that sequence.
Donovan Mitchell didn’t have a good fourth quarter. One of the low moments was the turnover he committed with 1:25 remaining. According to the NBA, this should’ve been a foul on the defense that would’ve resulted in Cleveland retaining possession.
The Last Two Minute report states:
Carter Jr. (ORL) initiates contact across Mitchell’s (CLE) arm, affecting his ability to gather the ball.
The report clarifies that this wouldn’t have been a shooting foul. The foul would’ve been on the floor which would’ve allowed the Cavs to keep possession in a tie game. Additionally, it would’ve kept Orlando from running in transition and generating a Franz Wagner shooting foul that led to the Magic taking the lead for good after the turnover.
As far as missed calls go, this one was egregious considering how physical this game was. The refs let both teams play throughout. It would’ve been more shocking at the moment if they had correctly called the foul on Wendall Carter, Jr.
Missed calls happen. They’re a part of sports. There’s nothing the Cavs can do to control that and it is disappointing when you’re on the wrong side of one late.
Still, the Cavs had chances to put the game away early, but simply didn’t. They also couldn’t make the shots they needed to down the stretch. That, more than the missed call, is why they lost Sunday’s game.