Image Source: NBA Sports
[Saba Sports News] Several Indiana Pacers fans were outraged on Monday over a controversial call during their team’s elimination game loss to the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics completed a sweep of the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 105-102 Game 4 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers led for most of the second half and were up 94-88 with under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. At the 7:23 mark, Pacers guard TJ McConnell was hit hard in the face by Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown while attempting to grab an offensive rebound. McConnell fell violently to the floor.
The referees reviewed the play for a potential flagrant foul, but veteran official Zach Zarba announced it was a regular loose ball foul, prompting boos from the crowd. Fans and media members on social media were equally perplexed by the ruling.
The Celtics outscored the Pacers 17-8 for the remainder of the game. Brown made two critical plays in the final 65 seconds, including a key block and an assist on Derrick White’s go-ahead three-pointer, securing Boston’s 105-102 win.
Brown’s performance earned him the Larry Bird Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite being competitive in the final minutes of Games 1, 3, and 4, the Pacers were unable to secure a single victory in the series.