Kings benefit from two non-calls in double-OT win vs. Clippers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
In a turn of events certainly pleasing to Kings fans, the NBA’s latest Last Two Minute Report reveals a pair of non-calls that actually went in Sacramento’s favor Friday night.
During the Kings’ 176-175 win in double overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena, the NBA admitted officials missed two calls as Sacramento stormed back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.
First, the report states that with 1:46 remaining in the fourth, Kings big man Domantas Sabonis should have been called for a personal foul on Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.
Los Angeles was up by three points when, according to the NBA, “Sabonis (SAC) moves laterally into Leonard’s (LAC) path with his arm extended, causing arm and body contact, which affects Leonard’s SQBR [speed, quickness, balance and rhythm].”
The non-call led to a missed 3-point attempt by Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, which was rebounded by Kings star De’Aaron Fox and ultimately resulted in a Sabonis layup on the other side of the court.
And later, in the second OT period, Sacramento benefitted from an incorrect foul call on Clippers newbie Russell Westbrook for making contact with Harrison Barnes.
“Westbrook (LAC) brings his arm toward Barnes’ (SAC) path and marginal contact occurs prior to Barnes releasing the pass,” the report states.
At that point, the Kings trailed by six points, 175-169, with 1:49 left to play. Westbrook was subbed out for Eric Gordon, who proceeded to foul Barnes on the ensuing inbound play, leading to two free-throw makers for Scramento.
The Kings notoriously have been on the wrong end of the league’s Last Two Minute Report this season, with plenty of calls and non-calls hurting them along the way. In a one-point win of epic proportions on Friday, however, the needle swung in their favor — for the most part.
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In the first overtime period, officials did miss a call that went against the Kings. Paul George wasn’t called for a traveling violation, but it didn’t end up impacting the game’s immediate scoring.
But as Sacramento knows all too well, even one call can make the difference in an NBA game. This time, it was the Kings’ turn to make the most of it.