Boston Celtics irate over 'bad missed call' late in loss to Milwaukee Bucks

MILWAUKEE — Every member of the Boston Celtics inside Fiserv Forum on Saturday afternoon was incredulous.

With the clock ticking down and the Celtics training by three, Boston's Jaylen Brown handed the ball off to Marcus Smart on the perimeter. Immediately, Smart attempted to get his shot off with Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday giving him no space at all. The whistle blew right away as Holiday's arm whacked across Smart's.

However, much to the delight of the majority of the 17,736 in attendance and the chagrin of everyone in the Celtics traveling party, the foul was called on the floor — a rip-through — instead of a three-shot foul. Smart made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second to give Boston another chance but none of the three putbacks went in, giving Milwaukee the 103-101 win and the 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Boston coach Ime Udoka said flat out that he felt the call was missed.

«It was a foul. It was a foul. He caught the ball, he's turning into a shot,» Udoka said advocating for a shooting foul rather than the call on the floor. «Both feet set. You can't say that's a sweep. You're going into a shot. That's a poor call. Poor no-call.»

When asked what explanation he was given, Udoka said he was told Smart was sweeping his arms.

«I saw it in person but I also saw it on the film that I just went and looked at,» Udoka said. «It's a shot. He's going into a shot. He got fouled on the way up. Bad missed call.»

When asked about the call postgame, Smart asked every reporter in the room what their opinion was. After getting no real response, Smart said, «I mean, that's all I gotta say.»

Smart said in that time and situation, it made no sense for him to try the rip through move knowing the