Prior to LeBron James' game-winning three pointer at the buzzer in Game 5 last night, he made a tremendous defensive play against Victor Oladipo to keep the score knotted at 95. The play in question was never reviewed, although replays appear to show that Oladipo got the shot on the glass slightly before Bron swooped in and swatted it.
The NBA rule states that such a play can only be reviewed if it is called a goaltend on the floor. NBA Senior Vice President of Replay & Referee Operations Joe Borgia offered his take during an appearance NBA TV (H/T ESPN): "In super slow motion, you just see the ball hit the glass, and maybe come off an inch and that's when LeBron got it. Like I said, once the ball touches the backboard, defenders cannot touch it and unfortunately James did."
After the game, Oladipo spoke about that play and he didn't mince words, telling reporters, "it was a goaltend."
"I got a step on him. Felt like I even got grabbed on the way to the rim," said Oladipo, according to ESPN. "I tried to shoot a layup, it hit the backboard, then he blocked it. ... It was a goaltend. It's hard to even speak on it. It just sucks, honestly. It really sucks. We fought our way back, we tied the game up, that layup is huge."
LeBron was also asked about the play and joked that he "definitely thought it was a goaltend."
"I definitely thought it was a goaltend," James said with a laugh, according to ESPN. "Of course I didn't think it was a goaltend. I try to make plays like that all the time, and I mean he made a heck of a move, got me leaning right and he went left and I just tried to use my recovery speed and get back up there and make a play on the ball. And I was able to make a play."
The Cavs ultimately secured the rebound, called a timeout, and LeBron James took care of the rest.
The series will now shift back to Indiana as the Pacers look to force a Game 7 back in Cleveland on Sunday. Game 6 is scheduled to tipoff at 8:00pm ET tomorrow night.
https://twitter.com/_/status/989338388816838656
https://twitter.com/_/status/989345935011414016
