League admits another botched call in a Dallas win

Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks to get to the basket past New Orleans Pelicans’ Eric Gordon (10) and Anthony Davis (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, in Dallas. Nowitzki had a game-high 40-points in the 110-107 Mavericks win. AP

NEW YORK – For the second time in two weeks, the NBA has admitted an officiating blunder in the last second of a game that could have denied the Dallas Mavericks a victory.

The latest revelation came Sunday when the league said referees missed a foul call in the closing seconds of the Dallas Mavericks’ 110-107 victory over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

The Mavericks walked off the court after Monta Ellis tied up Pelicans guard Austin Rivers as he attempted a 3-point shot.

“After reviewing postgame video, we have determined a foul should have been called on Dallas’ Monta Ellis for illegal contact on the arms of New Orleans’ Austin Rivers while Rivers was attempting a 3-point field goal,” said NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn.

“Rivers should have been awarded three free throws with 0.6 left on the clock.”

The Mavericks also benefitted December 30 when officials erred by not calling a foul on Dallas with one second remaining in a 100-98 Dallas victory at Minnesota. Thorn said on December 31.

Just as in the latest case, the blunder denied the losing team the chance at free throws in the final seconds that could have tied the score.

At Minnesota, Timberwolves’ big man Kevin Love took an inbounds pass near the sideline, turned and attempted a shot and was struck on the right arm by Shawn Marion of the Mavericks.

No foul was whistled by the referees and Mavericks won.

“Love was fouled on the right arm by Dallas’ Shawn Marion while attempting a two-point field goal,” Thorn said then. “Love should have been awarded two free throws with one second left on the clock.”