Doc Rivers, the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, was left fuming after a no-call on a push-off by Jayson Tatum during the crucial Game 4 against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Sixers managed to sneak away with a two-point overtime win, but Rivers believed that the uncalled foul on Tatum’s go-ahead 3-pointer could’ve changed the outcome.
The Sixers’ head coach was visibly upset during the post-game interview, calling the lack of a call on the play “awful.” Rivers was also frustrated by several “touch fouls” called against the 76ers on Tatum and Marcus Smart in overtime. He felt that if the referees were going to call the game that way, then they had to call the push-off by Tatum as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jIpolDcnQc&pp=ygUKRG9jIFJpdmVycw%3D%3D
“I’m a big fan of refs not deciding, but that could’ve decided the game,” Rivers said via Rich Hofmann of The Athletic. With the Sixers up by one point, 113-112, Tatum hit a go-ahead three with 37.3 seconds left, but not before using his forearm to push away guard Tyrese Maxey.
Rivers had a fiery response to a reporter who failed to take a stance on Tatum’s alleged foul, aggressively shouting, “Did you think it was a push-off, I’m asking you?” Rivers believes that the play was clearly a push-off and that the referees should’ve made the call.
A loss by the Sixers would’ve meant they were down 3-1 in the series, making it difficult for them to come back. Rivers had a legitimate beef, especially considering the stakes on Sunday. The head coach’s frustration is understandable given the potential ramifications of the no-call on Tatum’s three-pointer.
The Sixers managed to avoid disaster, though. After helping Philadelphia force overtime with a basket in the final seconds, point guard James Harden stepped up and nailed a clutch game-winning three-pointer with 18.2 seconds left, evening the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series at two games apiece. Despite the win, Rivers believes that the referees’ missed call on Tatum’s push-off could’ve decided the game.
"Jayson Tatum's three was awful that that wasn't called. Awful … Did you think it was a push off? It was a push off!"
Doc Rivers couldn't believe Tatum wasn't called for a foul on this play. pic.twitter.com/QYZ16zC552
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 8, 2023
In conclusion, Rivers’ criticism of the referees after the Game 4 loss against the Celtics was not unwarranted. The push-off by Tatum was clear, and the referees’ failure to call it could’ve had a significant impact on the game’s outcome. Despite the missed call, the Sixers managed to pull off a crucial win, but Rivers will undoubtedly be hoping for a more favorable outcome in the future.
Jayson Tatum rival Harden’s Heroics Secure Crucial Victory for 76ers in Overtime Thriller
In a pivotal Game 4 matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, James Harden stepped up in a big way to help his team secure a 116-115 overtime victory. Harden’s game-high 42 points, along with eight rebounds, nine assists, and four steals, proved to be the difference-maker in a tightly contested game that saw both teams battle back and forth until the very end.
Despite Philadelphia holding a double-digit lead for most of the second half, the Celtics mounted an impressive comeback, sending the game into overtime with a clutch three-pointer from Jayson Tatum. However, with the game tied and only seconds remaining, Harden rose to the occasion, sinking the game-winning shot with 19 seconds left on the clock.
This performance from Harden was particularly impressive given his quiet outings in the previous two games of the series, where he scored only 28 points on 5-for-28 shooting from the field. His explosive performance in Game 4 helped even up the series at two games apiece and put the 76ers in a strong position moving forward.
Unsurprisingly, fans and pundits alike took to social media to laud Harden’s heroics, with many citing his clutch performance as the deciding factor in the game. With the series now in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Harden can continue to lead his team to victory and secure a place in the next round of the playoffs.
