NBA says Raptors' Gasol should have gone to foul line late in Game 5
League admits game officials missed call on Warriors' DeMarcus Cousins in final minute
The NBA says Toronto's Marc Gasol should have been given two free throws with 49 seconds left of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Toronto, a game that the Raptors lost to Golden State by one point.
Gasol was fouled by the Warriors' DeMarcus Cousins on a drive, the NBA said in its Last Two Minute Report that was issued Tuesday. Gasol missed the shot and tumbled to the floor, but no foul was called.
Golden State led 106-103 at the time. The Warriors wound up prevailing 106-105, staving off elimination and sending the series back to Oracle Arena for Game 6 on Thursday night.
The NBA said Cousins moved into Gasol, "initiating contact that affects his driving shot attempt."
WATCH | Referees miss foul on Marc Gasol in final minute:
Rally falls short
Toronto trailed for most of the night, never leading by more than two points in the first half before falling behind by 14 in the third quarter. The Warriors led 84-78 with one quarter to play.
A Kawhi Leonard three-pointer gave Toronto its first lead since the first quarter with 5:13 to play. He contributed 10 points of Toronto's 12-2 run that put Toronto up 103-97 with 3:28 to play.
However, Thompson and Curry combined for three straight threes to put the visitors back up by three with 57 seconds to play.
And then with the nervous crowd on its feet, the Raptors pulled to within a point with 30 seconds to play after a Warriors goaltending call on a Kyle Lowry basket.
The Warriors were then called for an offensive foul, giving Toronto the ball. But Lowry's game-winning attempt was blocked by Draymond Green and the miss was met by a groan from the 20,144 fans in attendance.
WATCH | Warriors outlast Raptors in Game 5 win:
With files from The Canadian Press