A challenge by Jason Kidd may have saved the game for the Mavericks. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks benefit from controversial call in win over Celtics

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 3/13/22

The Dallas Mavericks won a hard-fought game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, and the outcome may have been different had it not been for a successful coach’s challenge.

Dallas was leading 95-92 with 4.9 seconds remaining when Luka Doncic appeared to foul Marcus Smart on the Celtics guard’s three-point attempt. Smart was about to go to the line for three free throws and a chance to tie the game when Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd used his challenge. The call was overturned, and the Mavs hung on to win.

Doncic buna nasıl foul değil diye itiraz edebildin üstat pic.twitter.com/aJisjUV0sT

— Uygar Karaca (@uygarkaraca) March 13, 2022

Former NBA referee Steve Javie explained during the ESPN broadcast why Dallas won the challenge. He said it would have been a foul on Doncic had he hit Smart on the wrist or below. Since he only hit him on the hand after Smart released the ball, that is not considered a foul by rule.

The ability to challenge was huge for the Mavericks. Without it, Smart would have gone to the line.

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

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