Twitter was in disbelief over the refs missing an obvious goaltending call on the Heat in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
The Denver Nuggets were starting to make a comeback against the Miami Heat late in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals when a non-call shifted the momentum. With the Heat leading 104-93 with under five minutes remaining in regulation, Miami center Bam Abebayo appeared to goaltend on a layup from Jamal Murray. The refs never blew their whistle, and called it a clean block.
The Heat beat the Nuggets, 111-108, to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1. Denver made a furious rally in the final minutes, but Jamal Murray missed a potential game-tying three as the buzzer expired.
Adebayo’s block stood out as the most questionable call of the game. It sure looked like the ball was on the way down when Adebayo blocked the shot. Here’s a look at the replay:
It’s a big two-point swing in that moment. Unfortunately for Denver, goaltending calls and non-calls are not reviewable.
Twitter was not happy about the missed call both when it happened and after the game:
Clearly a goaltend. More gifts for Miami from the refs.
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) June 5, 2023
Was that the most obvious goaltend of all time?
— Gold Arrow Collector (@scoot_vs) June 5, 2023
The end of this game might have played out differently if that goaltend was called correctly.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 5, 2023
Can they retroactively review the Bam goaltend like they can with 2s vs 3s?
— Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14) June 5, 2023
That missed goaltend might actually matter
— Jarace Walker, Texas Ranger (@thom_not_tom) June 5, 2023
absolutely atrocious miss of that bam goaltend. insanely pro heat whistle in denver. i hate investing so much time in this league sometimes man. these refs suck so fucking bad
— Kevin (@NBACouchside) June 5, 2023
that missed goaltend is rough but you can’t have all those defensive miscues against a team as sharp as Miami.
— Evan Dunlap (@BQRMagic) June 5, 2023
That last two minute report is going to sting. Can’t believe they missed that goaltend. I honestly though they were going to add the points at the timeout.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) June 5, 2023
There were a number of close calls that went Miami’s way on the night, but the free throw totals were pretty even. Denver shot 22 free throws to 20 for the Heat. Miami only attempted two free throws in their Game 1 loss.
The Heat did what they had to do — winning on the road to steal homecourt advantage back in the NBA Finals. The Heat were on fire from three-point range — finishing the night 17-of-35 (48.6 percent) from deep — and that was enough to carry the offense.
The 2023 NBA Finals just got a lot more interesting.
