The Dallas Mavericks lost against the Denver Nuggets partly because several deliberate fouls were not punished in the final phase. Some protagonists got angry about this in conversation with the Dallas Morning News.
When there were less than 10 seconds left to play and Denver was in possession of the 105:102 ball, both Wesley Matthews and Dennis Smith deliberately tried to foul Gary Harris. However, it was not decided until 1.7 seconds on the clock on foul – after the following free throws Dallas had no more time off and got so no more reasonable throw.
He was bleeding,”Smith said about Harris.” I scratched him by mistake on the arm. He told me, he even showed me the place. He was fouled three or four times before he even reached the centerline.”
“Of course, I was surprised they didn’t whistle a foul,”said Matthews, who clearly hit Harris on the arm at 7 seconds on the clock,”It was an obvious play, but it was quick. The referees don’t have an easy job, but they try their best. You can’t change it.”
Coach Rick Carlisle, who was still pissed off on the court and had to pull himself together, also struck more conciliatory tones after the game.”The Refs are human beings. You’re missing something.”