[外電] Wittman fumes at 'guess'
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16835046.htm
Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman didn't know why Ricky Davis' pivotal
three-point attempt was changed to a two-point attempt. But Wittman sure was
mad after the game Sunday.
With 15.1 seconds left in the first overtime and the Wolves trailing the
Boston Celtics 105-102, Davis was fouled while attempting a three-pointer.
Replays clearly showed he was behind the three-point line when he was fouled.
Official Violet Palmer, who called the foul, held her hand up, indicating a
three-point attempt. But after the Celtics disputed the call, Palmer and her
two colleagues, David Guthrie and Mike Callahan, conferred on the court.
After the discussion, Davis was sent to the free-throw line for two shots
instead of three.
"They guessed," a clearly upset Wittman said after the 124-117
double-overtime loss. "It was a guess. Violet had it as a three. Then I don't
know what happened. The other two had to have guessed because obviously
everybody's watched it (on replay), and it's not even close. To guess, that's
not right. That cost us a game. That cost us a game."
Palmer and her colleagues didn't take questions from the media because,
according to the NBA, they didn't have to comment because the change was
determined to be a "judgment call," so no clarification was necessary.
"They said he was inside the line," said Wittman, relaying the explanation he
was given from the officials. "They can spin it any way they want. They had
it as a three originally, and for whatever reason, she was talked out of it.
"Then they're going to give me the excuse that there are so many feet
involved in the play. Are you kidding me? That they couldn't tell whose feet
was whose. That's their job."
Had Davis been given three free throws and made them all, that could have
changed Wolves' strategy for the rest of the overtime period. As it turned
out, Davis made both his attempts, and the Wolves fouled Boston's Delonte
West to stop the clock. West made two free throws, putting the Wolves in a
three-point hole. After that, Kevin Garnett hit a three-pointer that sent the
game into a second overtime.
The Wolves believe the game never should have gone that far.
"They called a three at first, I guess," Davis said. "And Violet changed the
call."
Garnett, sitting a few feet away in the Wolves' locker room, interrupted:
"(Celtics coach) Doc Rivers changed the call!"
Continued Davis: "Doc Rivers changed the call, actually. He yelled I crossed
over and hit the line, and (Palmer) believed it."
After the game, Rivers said his team needed a break, and he was going to take
it.
"Yeah, I honestly did think (Davis) stepped in front" of the three-point
line, Rivers said.
Hassell injured: Trenton Hassell sprained his left ankle on the Wolves' first
possession of the game. Hassell shot a jumper and injured his ankle when he
stepped on Kendrick Perkins' foot. Hassell, who turned 28 Sunday, left the
game moments later and did not return. He said he hopes to be able to play
Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He's listed as day to day.
"This is really one that you have to see what 24 hours does," Wittman said.
"He's limping around pretty good right now."
Still some fans: Davis and Mark Blount played in their first game in Boston
since the January 2006 trade that sent Wally Szczerbiak and Michael
Olowokandi to the Celtics as part of a multiplayer deal. Blount was booed
when the starting lineups were introduced. The reaction for Davis was mixed,
but he still had a cheering section. Davis bought 21 tickets for the Get
Buckets Brigade, Davis' fan section when he was a Celtic. Davis scored a
season-high 35 points, and Blount had 12 before fouling out in the first
overtime.
Briefly: Davis' family still lives in Boston but weren't able to attend the
game. His parents were watching Davis' younger brother EB play for Lawrence
Academy in the New England Class C Tournament finals in Groton, Mass.
Lawrence Academy won the championship, and Davis was named the MVP after
posting 26 points and 10 rebounds.
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