NBA: Refs missed 2 late calls in Celtics win over Sixers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, right, looks to pass the ball, as Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier steps over him during the first quarter of Game 5 of an NBA basketball playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was right in thinking he was fouled with 14.6 seconds left in his team’s season-ending playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, the NBA confirmed Thursday.

In the league’s Last Two Minute Report on officiating in the late stages of the Celtics’ 114-112 triumph, the league said game officials missed two key calls against Boston.

Celtics center Aron Baynes should have been called for a shooting foul when Sixers big man Embiid attempted a game-tying layup with 14.6 seconds remaining.

The report said Baynes made “contact to Embiid’s arm that affects his shot attempt near the rim.”

“I mean the play unfolded, and I mean the refs, they had a great game, I thought they were great tonight,” Embiid said after the game that saw the Celtics advance to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.

“But I mean I felt like there was something on that last play, but you can’t really do anything about it. But they did a great job the whole night.”

The report also confirmed officials missed a traveling violation on Celtics guard Marcus Smart with 1.5 seconds remaining when he intercepted Ben Simmons’ desperation full-court pass from the opposite baseline.

That call would have given Philadelphia the ball back.

But despite the disappointment of their playoff exit, the young 76ers were sounding a note of optimism after an overachieving season that included 52 regular-season wins and their first playoff series victory since 2012.

Embiid, who missed his first two seasons after being drafted in 2014 and suffered a knee injury last season, is expecting to make great strides after staying healthy and playing 71 games in the 2017-18 campaign.

“This is my first year going into a summer healthy,” he said. “I think next year is going to be an MVP type season for me.

“I want to be a leader. Being an MVP candidate shows you bring your team to where it has to go, and I want to be that type of guy.

“I have a lot of room to grow – post moves, ball handling, passing. But I think it starts with my body.”