2020 NBA Playoffs, 2019 NBA Playoffs, 2018 NBA Playoffs, 2017 NBA Playoffs, Playoffs Series History. All-Star Games 2020 All-Star Game, 2019 All-Star Game, 2018 All-Star Game, 2017 All-Star Game.
© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Questionable officiating marred the end of the Heat-Bucks game.The Miami Heat were looking to go up 2-0 in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Milwaukee Bucks. It sure looked like that would be the case Wednesday evening at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Miami held a three-point lead with less than five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. That’s when controversial NBA official Marc Davis called a foul on Goran Dragic as Bucks wing Khris Middleton attempted a three-pointer.
YOU CAN'T CALL THIS IN THIS SITUATION? #WholeNewGamepic.twitter.com/3TD8la2bkz
— Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) September 3, 2020As you can see, Dragic was completely set and in an upfront position when Middleton pretty much jumped into him to get the foul call. Milwaukee’s All-Star would go on to hit all three free throws to tie this game up at 114.
Then, with the clock striking zero on Miami’s final possession of the game, reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo “fouled” Jimmy Butler on a two-point attempt.
You be the judge.
Foul on Giannis or no? #WholeNewGamepic.twitter.com/fUpNOg9nat
— Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) September 3, 2020Controversial? Sure. Jimmy Buckets would go on to hit the two free throws and give Miami a shocking 2-0 series lead over the Eastern Conference favorites.
The NBA world had its reactions to Wednesday evening’s finish.
Live look at Bucks-Heat pic.twitter.com/Xoesjhdeme
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) September 3, 2020How Jimmy Butler looking at Giannis pic.twitter.com/rDwE5L8QTK
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 3, 2020The call on Dragic was very close but he did slightly move into Middleton's landing space. Would've hated to see a game decided with a 3-free-throw foul. Justice prevailed. Bucks got outplayed again, deserved to lose.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 3, 2020That was more of a foul than Dragic and that STILL wasn’t a foul.
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) September 3, 2020You call that Dragic foul, you call the Giannis foul. Simple
— Andy Soda (@Spangdaddy) September 3, 2020That was not a foul on Dragic. No way. Bad call in a huge moment. @Ryan_Cortes
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 3, 2020Enough is enough, @Giannis_An34
Come home pic.twitter.com/qJClEejGhy
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) September 3, 2020You can’t play Giannis 35 minutes and Khris Middleton 33 minutes. Idgaf about the fouls, Bud thinks this is January against the Atlanta Hawks
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) September 3, 2020
Giannis: OVERRATED.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 3, 2020Be honest: if the Bucks lose this series, should Giannis request a trade? pic.twitter.com/ls4ZqV6wyd
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 3, 2020Subscribe to Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the most comprehensive newsletter in sports. Customize your email to get the latest news on your favorite sports, teams and schools. Emailed daily. Always free! Sign up now ▸
More must-reads:
Related slideshow: The NBA's best in-game dunkers (Provided by Yardbarker)
Playoffs Chicago Bulls
The NBA has always been a player-driven league, but there’s no question an elite head coach can push teams over the edge and take them from merely good to undoubtedly great.
As such, there have been multiple examples of that throughout NBA history, where the perfect head coach has come along at the right time and led superstar players to previously unreached heights.
There are guys like Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich and Red Auerbach who we can cite as four top examples of that, all men who elevated their teams, particularly in the playoffs when games matter so much more.
Below, you can check out the NBA head coaches with the most playoff series won in league history.