NBA to examine controversial calls from Game 4
The NBA is taking a closer look at the officiating in the aftermath of a handful of questionable calls in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final series between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat on Tuesday night
It is unclear what the league will do as it examines the work of Joey Crawford, Rodney Mott and Derrick Stafford.
In Game 4, won by Indiana 99-92, there were 55 fouls called. Heat superstar LeBron James fouled out after having four fourth-quarter fouls called on him -- the fifth and six ones eliciting criticism from James after the game.
James appeared to have established position when he was called for his fifth foul when the Pacers' Paul George drove for a layup, which he made.
"I believe I was straight up-and-down on Paul George's drive -- the and-one," James said.
On his sixth foul, when he was called for an illegal screen, James said, "I don't believe it was an offensive foul. I was going to set a screen, and I believe I was stationary. Lance (Stephenson) actually ran into me. ... It was a couple of calls that I didn't feel like were fouls.
"That's how the game goes," he added.
Replays of the play show James sticking his leg out as he sets a screen, a clear foul.
The most obvious missed call -- a shot-clock violation -- occurred with the Pacers up 81-72 in the third quarter. Replays showed that Roy Hibbert's shot attempt hit the rim, which should've resulted in the shot clock resetting. The Pacers rebounded the missed shot and scored on put back that was not allowed.
Miami got the ball and went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 83-83.
The only other time James has fouled out with the Heat came in Game 4 of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals -- a 93-91 overtime loss to Boston.
Another call that is being reviewed took place with 26 seconds remaining when Dwyane Wade was called for traveling and the Pacers leading 96-92.
According to CBSSports.com, the referees review every call and no-call in with the league's officiating department. Every flagrant foul also is reviewed for potential upgrade or downgrade, as well as notable common fouls that might warrant flagrant upgrades on review.
The series is tied at 2-2, and Game 5 is Thursday night in Miami.
