In a thrilling game in the Western Conference playoffs series, the Denver Nuggets emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 101-99. The game was not without controversy, as the NBA endorsed the calls made by officials, including a missed defensive three-second violation on Nikola Jokic.
LeBron James and the Lakers expressed frustration over a foul called on James during a drive by Jamal Murray, with fans questioning why coach Darvin Ham did not challenge the call. The NBA’s two-minute report later stated that James had initiated contact with Murray before the shot, leading to a non-shooting foul.
The report, which only evaluates calls in the final two minutes of games, did not address other calls protested by the Lakers. One such call was a shooting foul against Michael Porter Jr. on D’Angelo Russell that was overturned, prompting Russell to take to Twitter to express his thoughts.
James also vented his frustration about the replay center that reviews contested calls, stating that he does not understand their decisions. Coach Darvin Ham commented on the tough calls and non-calls during the game, acknowledging the challenges of officiating in the playoffs.
The game’s outcome has added fuel to the intense rivalry between the Nuggets and the Lakers, with both teams now more determined than ever to come out on top in the fiercely competitive series. As the playoffs continue, fans can expect more high-stakes games and controversial calls that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
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