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Atlanta Hawks Cheated Out of Win Against Lebron’s Lakers

By Kit Anderson

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 10, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 10, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 107-106 with two questionable calls deciding the game late. Were the Hawks cheated out of a win in LA?

Lebron James has dominated the Atlanta Hawks for years. Even the most casual Hawks fans are aware of the dominance both the Lebron, led Heat teams and Lebron led Cavs teams had over Atlanta.

Rarely does Lebron lose to Atlanta, but for once he should have last night in LA. the game was hard fought and close to the final minute when the Hawks were protecting a one-point lead.

Lebron was fouled and sent to the line with a chance to get the tying and go-ahead basket. The sequence that followed was confusing and frustrating.

Lebron missed both free throws and the rebound was contested, with the Lakers tipping it back towards the basket. Lebron standing on the opposite side of the basket went up and dunked it home giving the Lakers a one-point lead.

This is where the officials made a key mistake. Lebron after dunking it home, hung from the rim long after the play was over soaking up the atmosphere of Staples Center. This should have been called a foul, according to NBA rules hanging from the basket for a long period of time is unsportsmanlike and isn’t allowed if your name isn’t Lebron.

Yet the officials had no problem with letting James remain suspended in mid-air as long as he pleased. A recent example of how this is often called a foul many Hawks fans will remember.

Dwight Howard did the same in his Hawk’s season against the Celtics. A foul was called on Howard despite the fact he was on the rim for a shorter amount of time that James was in this case.

Still, the Hawks had the ball and were only a point down and Trae Young had been cooking in the 4th quarter. Hitting two deep threes and attacking the basket and passing to the open man. He ended the night with 20-points and 12-assists a line that doesn’t show how big he was late in the game for the Hawks.

With time expiring the Hawks had a chance at a game-winning basket. Young took the ball and drove into the paint sending up a floater Tyson Chandler knocked away as the ball started to come down.

It was a call Hawk’s fans believe the refs clearly missed with it being an obvious goal tend. While for the Lakers it was an obvious clutch block from Tyson.

dark. Next. Georgia Bulldogs Playoff Bound?

Either way, two calls were made (or not made rather) to put this one away for the Lakers. A game Atlanta should have won or tied after Lebron’s rim hang.  The Lakers and Hawks will meet next February 12th in Atlanta.

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