(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
On Sunday, the Philadelphia 76ers got the best of the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series, with superstar guard James Harden putting on a show.
Despite being able to even the series at two games apiece, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers was not happy after the game as he had a bone to pick with the officiating in this playoff game.
Rivers wasn’t pleased with one play, particularly involving Celtics superstar forward Jayson Tatum, who hit a three-pointer after seemingly pushing off Tyrese Maxey.
Doc Rivers is angry about Jayson Tatum’s push off pic.twitter.com/fYLMFhKOhY
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 7, 2023
Here is the play that got Rivers so heated, as he believes the referees should have called an offensive foul on Tatum for pushing off:
Foul or no foul?
Doc Rivers wasn’t pleased at the no-call on this Jayson Tatum 3 pointer in overtime #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/PFMuRu55Ow
— Daily NBA Fantasy (@DailyNBAFantasy) May 7, 2023
The strange part of this is that the 76ers were still able to come out on top, and Rivers acts as if he lost the game.
Head coaches and players always complain about officiating, and that will never change.
However, to complain this adamantly after a win is a bit much as Rivers was a bit over the top, especially considering that Harden did the same thing, if not worse, in the fourth quarter to Celtics guard Marcus Smart.
Doc Rivers is angry about Jayson Tatum’s push off !!!!!! https://t.co/YH1A6bFjbz pic.twitter.com/ESYfMnwDp6
— i₿ou 𓃮 (@teamibou23) May 7, 2023
Although there may have been a bit of flopping from Smart in this one, Harden still pushed off, which makes Rivers’ point a bit hypocritical, considering a call here could’ve changed the game as well.
The interesting part of all this is whether the league responds by fining Rivers for his comments and how livid that’ll make the 76ers head coach heading into Game 5.
The post Doc Rivers Sounds Off On Officiating After Game 4 Win appeared first on The Cold Wire.