Every second counts in the NBA playoffs and Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals wasn’t without some controversy.
In the moments that led up to Derrick White’s unreal putback to beat the buzzer and tie the series at three games apiece, 0.9 seconds were added to the clock after Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was fouled with 2.1 showing.
There was a review that determined time needed to be put back on, but no explanation from referees or TNT’s broadcast team at the time.
DERRICK WHITE SENDS THE SERIES TO GAME 7 ☘️
WHAT A GAME 😱
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/DkHRhRpGMU
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 28, 2023
Needless to say, Heat fans were pretty upset.
“This is bulls—,” a user said. “Heat vs. refs for the past 3 games. I know Miami been [expletive] and all but c’mon man WTF was that. Jimmy was fouled at 2.1 seconds. They gave them an extra 0.9 seconds, that’s all they needed for some bull—. We winning the next one no doubt.”
this is bullshit. Heat vs Refs for the past 3 games. I know Miami been shit and all but cmon man wtf was that. Jimmy was fouled at 2.1 seconds. They gave them an extra 0.9 seconds, that’s all they needed for some bullshit. We winning the next one no doubt 🔥☝️
— Thiago (@notthuago) May 28, 2023
“Where and how did .9 get added to a clock without a word being said?” another asked. “Miami overcame everything imaginable to win in these awfully officiated and one sided broadcast. Jimmy gets fouled with 2.1 seconds on the clock and knocks down all 3 free throws. #GREED.”
Where and how did .9 get added to a clock without a word being said? Miami overcame everything imaginable to win in these awfully officiated and one sided broadcast. Jimmy gets fouled with 2.1 seconds on the clock and knocks down all 3 free throws. #GREED https://t.co/YHKRJdgoBp
— Kyle Ashton (@kash_ton) May 28, 2023
“When Jimmy Butler was fouled, the time was at 2.1 seconds,” a fan pointed out. “But after the foul and made his three free throws, the officials changed it to 3 seconds. If the time was 2.9 seconds, Miami Heat would be in the finals but the refs gave the Celtics an extra .9 seconds.”
When Jimmy Butler was fouled, the time was at 2.1 seconds. But after the foul and made his three free throws, the officials changed it to 3 seconds. If the time was 2.9 seconds, Miami Heat would be in the finals but the refs gave the Celtics an extra .9 seconds.
— mac (@sheeshjustchill) May 28, 2023
Longtime NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh attempted to breakdown his interpretation of what happened in a thread on Twitter.
Coming to the conclusion that according to the NBA’s rulebook, when a foul is reviewed, officials can go in decide if a different foul should’ve been called. Which in this case would’ve been when Al Horford first made contact with Butler’s back around the three second mark.