NBA Says Dwyane Wade Wasn’t Fouled In Final Seconds Of Game 5

During Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade attempted a game-tying shot with about five seconds remaining.

NBA Says Wade Wasn’t Fouled On Game Tying Attempt

Charlotte Hornets’ center Cody Zeller came over to contest the shot and appeared to make contact with Wade as he attempted the shot and Courtney Lee blocked Wade’s shot.  There was no foul called and Wade was infuriated.

He immediately stormed over to referee Kane Fitzgerald, which probably should’ve resulted in a technical foul.  Wade couldn’t believe that there was no foul called on Zeller.  Wade even bumped referee Derrick Stafford, which could’ve resulted in another tech.

The Hornets won the game Wednesday night 90-88 thanks to Lee’s three pointer with 26 seconds remaining to take a 3-2 series lead.

Since last March, the NBA has made it’s “Last Two Minute Report” public.  In the report, the NBA reviews all plays in games within 5 points in the final 2 minutes.  During the review for Game 5, the Association ruled that the correct call was made and Wade was not fouled on the play.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he doesn’t bother reading the reports.  “To be honest, I don’t even look at them,” he said Thursday. “That doesn’t help if they disagree and say it should have been a foul. What’s that do? You just become frustrated. Or if they disagree with you, you can go down that rabbit hole of ‘How do you not see it that way?'”

Wade’s shot was one of three heavily disputed plays down the stretch.  Wade was chasing down Lee on a fast break when the latter attempted a driving finger-roll layup.  Wade was able to get a piece of the ball for the chase down block, but replay showed that the ball appeared to touch the backboard before Wade’s block, which should have been a goaltending call, resulting in two points for Charlotte.  Lee pleaded his case to Stafford, but to no avail.  The NBA also said this play was called correct too.

The third play involved Luol Deng trying to intentionally foul Zeller to force him to shoot free throws and extend the game.  There was no foul called and after review the NBA said that if the foul was called it would’ve been before the ball was inbounded, resulting in the Hornets keeping possession.

Game 6 is tonight in Charlotte, where the sixth seeded Hornets will look to eliminate their Southeast Division rival.  If Miami loses as the No. 3 seed, it will be the first higher seeded team to be upset in the 2016 playoffs.  The fifth seed Portland Trailblazers can do the same if they defeat the West’s fourth seed Los Angeles Clippers.

Tonight’s matchup between the Heat and Hornets tips off at 8 PM EST, and can be seen on ESPN.