Was the Cavaliers' loss to the Pistons unjust? Four incorrect or missed calls, three of which disadvantaged them, could have secured victory without overtime.

On March 1st, Beijing time, the NBA officially released the Last Two Minute Report for the Cavaliers' 119-122 overtime loss to the Pistons from the previous day. The report indicated a total of four incorrect or missed calls in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime, with three of them disadvantaging the Cavaliers. Was their loss particularly unfair? Here are the specific errors and missed calls—

The first was a missed call, occurring with 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Duren's hand slipped off the ball and initiated contact with Allen's wrist, impairing his ability to complete the intended pass. This illegal contact caused Allen's turnover. This should have been called a defensive foul on Duren, but the referees did not blow the whistle. It was a missed defensive foul, leading to a Cavaliers turnover and a steal-and-score for the opponent. The Pistons benefited, the Cavaliers were disadvantaged.

The second was an incorrect call, happening with 48.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. When Allen blocked Duren, his hand made contact with the ball, constituting a clean block with no foul. However, the referees called a defensive foul on Allen, awarding Duren two free throws. This was an erroneous call, again benefiting the Pistons and disadvantaging the Cavaliers.

The third was also an incorrect call, occurring with 7.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Pistons' Sasser cleanly stripped the ball from Tyson, who was the last player to touch it before it went out of bounds. Possession should have been awarded to the Pistons. However, the referees gave the ball to the Cavaliers. This was an incorrect call, disadvantaging the Pistons and benefiting the Cavaliers.

The fourth was a missed call, taking place with 18.3 seconds remaining in overtime. After Merrill's three-point jump shot release, Sasser actively initiated illegal contact with his lower body, disrupting the shot. This was a missed defensive foul. Merrill should have been awarded three free throws, with a chance to tie the game. The Pistons benefited, the Cavaliers were disadvantaged.

Ultimately, the Cavaliers lost 119-122 to the Pistons in overtime. They had a chance to secure the win in regulation, but consecutive critical officiating errors went against them, and a late mistake allowed Jenkins to earn three free throws (a call the report confirmed was correct), sending the game to overtime. In the extra period, the Pistons performed better and secured the victory. Harden and Mitchell, who were sidelined due to injuries, could only watch from the sidelines as their team suffered a narrow overtime defeat.