NBA admits officials missed call in Mavericks-Pelicans game

The NBA admitted Sunday there was a missed foul call at the end of the Dallas Mavericks-New Orleans Pelicans game Saturday night that could have changed the outcome of the game, the second time in three weeks the league office has pointed out potential game-altering mistakes by officials.

Coincidentally, the other game in question was Dec. 31 when the Mavericks were again the beneficiary of a missed foul call in a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

On Saturday in Dallas, the Mavericks held on for a 110-107 victory after Pelicans guard Austin Rivers missed a last-second three-point shot. Before getting off the shot, Rivers was tied up briefly by Mavericks guard Monta Ellis.

League officials said a video review showed Ellis fouled Rivers and three free throws should have been issued, giving New Orleans a chance to tie the score and send the game into overtime.

Rod Thorn, NBA president of basketball operations, issued the following statement:

“After reviewing postgame video, we have determined a foul should have been called on Dallas’ Monta Ellis for illegal contact on the arms of New Orleans’ Austin Rivers while Rivers was attempting a three-point field goal. Rivers should have been awarded three free throws with 0.6 left on the clock.”

In the Mavericks-Timberwolves game, the NBA said officials missed a foul on Dallas forward Shawn Marion during a late shot by Minnesota forward Kevin Love, who should have been awarded two free throws with a chance to tie the score. Instead, the Mavericks won the game, 100-98.