Doc Rivers challenged proper call as motivational tactic

Doc Rivers Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Doc Rivers challenged call he expected to lose for motivational purposes

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 3/5/23

Doc Rivers says that he challenged a call he knew that he would lose, but for a good reason.

Rivers’ Philadelphia 76ers notched a big win on Saturday night, beating the surging Milwaukee Bucks on the road 133-130.

With the game was tied at 108 in the fourth quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo drove to the basket for a potential layup, only for Joel Embiid to step in his way. The Sixers big man was called for a foul.

Rivers challenged the call, arguing that Antetokounmpo should have been cited for a charge.

This is a foul on Joel Embiid get over it. pic.twitter.com/HnKPnO22lr

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) March 5, 2023

Rivers said after the game that he challenged the call -- one which he was pretty sure he would lose -- for motivational purposes. He challenged to show Embiid the coaches were fighting for the All-Star center.

Doc Rivers said that he knew he was going to lose the challenge on the charge call.

Said he wanted to let Embiid he knew the coaches were fighting for him and to keep at it in defending Giannis.

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) March 5, 2023

It’s possible this was just a little after-the-fact narrative from Rivers, but regardless, the Sixers picked up a big win against one of the best teams in the NBA.

With the head-to-head win, Philadelphia is now four games behind the Bucks, who saw their 16-game winning streak come to an end.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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