Daily Rant: 4/18/2011

To quote Dick Vitale, "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?". The officiating during Game 1 of the Knicks/Celtics Eastern Conference playoff game was so atrocious and beyond one-sided for the home team. The worst of the bad calls came with the game on the line and 21 seconds left with the Knicks having possession of the ball. The refs called an offensive foul on Carmelo Anthony, which it clearly was not and it in turn gave the ball back to Boston, who ended up winning by 2 points because of it. Also, there was a clear "no call" when Toney Douglas was run over. The officials have again regained control over these NBA games with their foul calls and missed calls and have taken away the option of letting the players play. If they don't call the foul when Douglas is mowed over, then be consistent and let Carmelo move with ball while being closely defended with the game on the line. It's frustrating to watch your favorite team lose, but it's harder to see them have the game taken away by the officials, giving them no opportunity to win. It's true though, the Knicks did blow a 12 point lead and then were outscored in the 3rd quarter, but they fought back and kept it tight until the last buzzer. The Celtics have more experience in the playoffs and the home court advantage, but the Knicks have started to find rhythm and have dabbled in playing defense. They could have and should have won last night and if they can pull out a win tomorrow night before returning home to NYC, then the series is up for grabs.