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The Knicks picked up a big 111-109 win over the Toronto Raptors to move to 4-4, while the Raptors, after a hot 5-0 start, have lost three in a row.
However, the Raptors can justifiably complain that they had a win stolen out of their hands thanks to some poor officiating down the stretch of Tuesday's game.
With just over 20 seconds remaining, the Knicks inbounded the ball from the sideline with a 1-point lead. With 21 seconds on the shot clock, the Raptors didn't have to foul - they could play out the clock, get a stop, and hope for a game-winning or game-tying basket on the other end.
The Knicks found Carmelo Anthony running toward the sideline, and as he caught the ball, the Raptors sprung a brilliant trap on him. As Anthony tried to find some airspace to get rid of the ball, not only did he travel, he stepped out of bounds, too... and the referees completely missed it.
Via NBA.com
Anthony shuffled his feet and lifted his pivot foot as he caught the ball, which should have been called a travel. Perhaps even worse, a closer look clearly shows Anthony was out of bounds:
Via NBA.com
Instead, Anthony was able to throw the ball to Lance Thomas, who was fouled by Lowry. Thomas went to the free throw line and hit both shots to put the Knicks up three.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey looked as if he might have a heart attack:
Via NBA.com
The Raptors did get their chances at the end of the game. The Knicks foolishly fouled DeMar DeRozan, who made one of two free throws. He missed the second, but the Knicks knocked it out of bounds, giving the Raptors a chance to tie or take the lead.
On the next play, DeRozan had a very unfortunate roll that essentially sealed the game for the Knicks:
Via NBA.com/Stats
After the game, crew chief Ed Malloy, who refereed the game, admitted to Eric Koreen of the National Post that the referees missed the call on Anthony:
Question 4: Have you reviewed the play since then on video and what did you see?
Malloy: When we came in, we reviewed the play. We did see Anthony step out of bounds and should've awarded the ball to Toronto.
Even if the refs admit they missed a call, it will bring little solace to the Raptors and their fans.
Given that the NBA has expanded its replay rules, this is the type of play that shouldn't happen. While it didn't wholly determine the outcome since the Raptors still had a few chances, it did swing the momentum to the Knicks favor.