Pistons coach livid over controversial no-call as ref admits Knicks fouled on final Game 4 shot

J.B.Bickerstaff and the Pistons were apoplectic over a non-call on the final play of their crushing Game 4 loss Sunday to the Knicks.Josh Hart appeared to make contact with Tim Hardaway Jr.

while closing out on the former Knicks’ last-second 3-point heave from the left corner.But no foul was called and the Knicks held on for a 94-93 victory for their second straight win in Detroit and a 3-1 series lead.After the game, crew chief David Guthrie told a pool reporter that a foul should have been called on Hart. “During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” the statement read.“After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr.

and a foul should have been called.”After the buzzer sounded, Bickerstaff was livid and stormed onto the court to plead with the referees, who let a physical play go on both sides throughout the game, for a foul call.Game 5 is Tuesday at the Garden.Pistons guard Cade Cunningham came up short on a mid-range jump shot with 7.1 seconds left with a chance to take the lead, before the ball found its way to Hardaway in the corner following a loose-ball scramble beneath the basket.A closing Hart appeared to bump Hardaway on the hip as he hoisted his double-clutch attempt.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Hart also looked like he was fouled under the basket while going for the initial rebound in that sequence.“There’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot.

I don’t know any other way around it, there’s contact on his jump shot,” Bickerstaff said after the game.“The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy.

I repeat, there’s contact on his jump shot.”...