By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest game between Partizan and Monaco ended with the losing side voicing their concerns about some key refereeing decisions and the EuroLeague issued a report on the last minute in which three calls or non-calls are considered incorrect, including an overlooked 8-second violation, “which should have resulted in possession being awarded to AS Monaco with 12.3 seconds remaining in the game clock”.
The full press release: Following speculation surrounding the last possessions in overtime of the Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. AS Monaco game played on December 5, 2023, Euroleague Basketball’s findings are:
–With 49.3 seconds remaining on the game clock, Donatas Motiejunas missed a three-point field goal. In the rebound, there were two players striving for the ball, Kevin Punter and John Brown. The ball went out-of-bounds, and the referees awarded the ball to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade as the ball was lastly touched by John Brown. Correct call.
As this is a reviewable play according to the Euroleague Basketball Bylaws (Appendix XIII – Article 3.1), the referees review the footage and identify that John Brown was the last player who touched the ball. They confirmed their initial decision. Correct decision.
The referees also made a game clock adjustment (article 4.1) and set the game clock at 50.2 seconds.
–With 35.7 seconds remaining on the game clock, Perry Dozier Jr drives to the basket and there is contact with Jason Blossomgame. The referees called an offensive foul on Perry Dozier Jr in a block/charge play close to the defensive semicircle. Incorrect call.
As this is a reviewable play (article 3.3), the referees were unsure whether the defender was inside or outside the defensive semi-circle (DSC) for a block/charge foul.
The referees reviewed the footage and identified that the defender was inside the DSC. According to the regulations, this type of call must be overturned to the correct decision upon review. The referees changed the initial decision to a defensive foul on Jason Blossomgame, which resulted in two free throws for Perry Dozier Jr. Correct decision.
The referees also made a clock adjustment (article 4.1) and set the game clock at 36.9 seconds.
–With 23.9 seconds remaining on the game clock, Donatas Motiejunas enters in the restricted area and creates contacts with his opponent prior to the release of the ball for a field goal attempt. This is a marginal contact. Correct no call.
–With 20.3 seconds remaining on the game clock, Zach Leday grabs a rebound in Partizan’s backcourt after a missed shot of Donatas Motiejunas. Zach Leday passes the ball to Kevin Punter, Kevin Punter returns the ball to Zach Leday who passes the ball to Perry Dozier JR. Perry Dozier Jr passes the ball, to cross the midcourt line, to Alen Smailagic who receives the ball with 11.0 seconds in the frontcourt.
This is an incorrect no call and the referees should have called an 8-second violation, which should have resulted in possession being awarded to AS Monaco with 12.3 seconds remaining in the game clock.
–With 9.8 seconds remaining on the game clock, Donatas Motiejunas made contact with Allen Smailagic and the referees called a personal foul. Incorrect call
As this is a reviewable play (article 3.4), the referees reviewed the footage and considered that Donatas Motiejunas did not make a legitimate attempt to play the ball. The referees determined that the call should be upgraded to unsportsmanlike foul, criteria C1. Correct decision.
–With 1.2 seconds remaining on the game clock, Perry Dozier Jr inbounds the ball being guarded by Donatas Motiejunas and the ball was legally touched by the defender, resulting in a new out-of-bounds violation.
Prior the release of the ball at the inbound, Jordan Loyd is guarding Zach LeDay with both arms around his body. This action restricted the freedom of movement of Zach LeDay and should have called a throw-in foul. The penalty of that foul should have resulted in one free throw for Zach LeDay and possession for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on the sideline closest to where the foul was committed. Incorrect no call.
As part of the action, there was an incidental contact in the Jordan Loyd’s face when both players were falling to the floor as a result of the missed foul. That was a correct no call.
Due to the contact in the face, the referees decided to review the IRS under the reviewable play for act of violence or potential act of violence (article 4.2). The referees could not identify or determine any type of potential act of violence, so they kept the initial decision.
Regarding the missed throw-in foul, as the action was not called in the court, the referees are not allowed to referee again the play in the monitor.
The referees also made a clock adjustment (article 4.1) and set the game clock at 1.1 seconds.