DETROIT – New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson appeared to commit a backcourt violation with five seconds remaining Thursday, but there was no whistle.
The Knicks were leading the Detroit Pistons by three points at the time and hung on for a 118-116 victory in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Little Caesars Arena.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed frustration with that decision by officials and another involving the clock shortly after.
“There’s some procedural things that we’ve got questions on in the game situation,” Bickerstaff said. “We foul … with 1 second or 0.9 seconds. Question I have is, how come we don’t make sure that we’re positive on the time on the clock?
“The Brunson play, where he catches the ball in the frontcourt, recognizes that he’s getting ready to go in the backcourt, and then drops the ball. And we had a timeout with 5.8 seconds on the clock. So, there’s some things procedurally that I have questions about, and I’d be interested to hear some answers.”
Mikal Bridges inbounded the ball to Brunson, who touched it in the frontcourt before his momentum took him into the backcourt.
“If you catch the ball, have possession and put it down, to me, it’s possession in the front court,” Bickerstaff said. “The ball has to be thrown into the back court. If you catch it in the frontcourt, the ball’s not in the backcourt. So, again, maybe I’m wrong, but we’ll see.”
Crew chief Zach Zarba provided an explanation to a pool reporter.
“Rule 4 section 6G, the frontcourt backcourt status is not obtained until a player with the ball has established a positive position in either half in this instance during the throw in the last two minutes of the fourth period and the last two minutes in any overtime period,” Zarba said. “So, obviously that is where we were at that point. Brunson and the trajectory of the pass were headed towards the backcourt. Brunson’s momentum was taking him there when he touches the ball. Due to that momentum, he’s not considered in a positive position at that time. That’s why that play is legal.”
Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was as puzzled by the non-call as was Bickerstaff.
“I think if you catch the ball in the frontcourt and you cross the line, thought that was backcourt (violation),” Cade Cunningham said. “Maybe I’m wrong. Always has been my life. And I thought the time on the clock, I thought we could check that. And it was decided not to check it.”
But, Cunningham added, “Those (plays) didn’t decide the game, though, at all. So, I’m not harping on those two moments.”
