Tipster profile image
Victor Petkov
twitter iconlikedin iconlikedin icon
Head of Content authorBadge
Last Updated:

4 min read

NBA admits two late call errors in Heat – Pacers game
google news logo Follow us
Add comment
Miami's 117-115 loss dropped them to 8th in the East with the final week approaching

The NBA has admitted to two officiating errors — one incorrect call and one missed call — in the final minute of Miami’s 117-115 loss at Indiana on Sunday, a defeat that contributed to the Heat slipping into the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference as the season’s final week approaches.

According to the league, Miami’s Tyler Herro was fouled by Indiana’s T.J. McConnell while attempting a 3-pointer with about 55 seconds left, although no foul was called on the play.

Furthermore, the foul called against Heat center Bam Adebayo by official Marat Kogut with 17.1 seconds remaining was deemed to be an error by the league. Indiana’s Myles Turner capitalized on the foul call by making two free throws.

In its public report detailing calls and non-calls made in the last two minutes of close games, the league stated on Monday that Adebayo “makes clean contact with the ball, simultaneous to Herro … making incidental hand-on-ball contact to dislodge it from Turner.”

Miami was left without a challenge to contest the foul called on Adebayo, having used it unsuccessfully earlier in the fourth quarter.

Despite Indiana retaining the No. 6 spot in the East, Miami’s loss, coupled with Philadelphia’s victory at San Antonio later on Sunday night, caused the Heat to drop to No. 8. A win at Indiana for the Heat — a game in which they trailed by 22 points before staging a comeback — would have secured the No. 6 spot.

The top six teams in each conference secure playoff berths, while teams finishing seventh through 10th in each conference will participate in the play-in tournament next week to determine the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.