Referee explains overturned Jayson Tatum-Darius Garland foul call / News - Basketnews.com

The leg extension created by Tatum forced the contact, which otherwise wouldn't have happened, Crew Chief Zach Zarba explained. It was determined that Darius Garland did not make any illegal contact during Tatum's late shot attempt.

Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was fouled by Darius Garland during the last seconds of Tuesday night's game between the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a review, the call was overturned.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Dean Wade Points 23 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 8 Assists 1

With Boston down by one (104-105), Tatum had the ball in his hands for the last possession. The star forward drove right and attempted a fadeaway jumper over Garland. Upon his landing, a foul was called on the Cavs guard.

Cleveland immediately challenged the call, and it was overturned, ultimately giving Taytum an offensive foul. Following the jump ball in the middle of the court, the Celtics had no time left to call a timeout after recovering the ball, and the game was over.

"In our opinion, there was clear and conclusive evidence that the leg extension by Tatum created that marginal contact with the defender Garland where otherwise contact wouldn't have been made. That's why it was overturned," Crew Chief Zach Zarba explained in the post-game Pool Report to Chris Fedor from Cleveland.com.

"It’s our opinion that the leg extension by Tatum created the marginal contact, and Garland did not make any illegal contact at all. That's why it was overturned," Zarba said, continuing on the explanation he provided both during the game and in the pool report.

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