The NBA backed its officials Monday after reviewing video of a play a day earlier that led to the ejections of three members of the Raptors: guard DeMar DeRozan, forward Serge Ibaka and coach Dwane Casey.
The league's Last Two Minute Report said officials were correct in not calling a personal foul on Thunder defender Corey Brewer, who hit DeRozan's hand as DeRozan was driving to the basket with 33 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday. The league said Brewer hit DeRozan's hand while it was on the ball, thus making it a legal play.
Referees miss clear foul on Brewer as DeRozan goes for the 2for1 pic.twitter.com/k2vFMXJbf6
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) March 18, 2018
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DeRozan was furious with lead official Marc Davis immediately after the contact and earned a technical foul. He picked up a second T moments later and was tossed. Ibaka was ejected for arguing, as well.
"He smacked me. He tried to smack me because I had a layup. Period. I got fouled," DeRozan told reporters after the game, which Toronto lost 132-125.
Casey was apparently the victim of mistaken identity; he was ejected for something a fan said to officials.
