NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirms clean Cavs win over Pistons in Game 5

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NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirms clean Cavs win over Pistons in Game 5

NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirms clean Cavs win over Pistons in Game 5

Much to J.B. Bickerstaff’s chagrin, there were no missed calls at the end of Wednesday’s game.

NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirms clean Cavs win over Pistons in Game 5

Much to J.B. Bickerstaff’s chagrin, there were no missed calls at the end of Wednesday’s game.

The NBA's Last Two Minute Report has officially confirmed what Cleveland Cavaliers fans already knew: their Game 5 victory over the Detroit Pistons was clean and well-officiated. For those who missed the drama, this series has been a hotbed of officiating debates, and Game 5 was no exception.

The tension started early in the series, with questions about why Cavs star Donovan Mitchell wasn't getting to the free-throw line as often as expected. Then, as the series shifted to Detroit, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff began voicing his frustrations over what he saw as an uneven free-throw disparity. After Wednesday's Game 5—a nail-biter that ended with Cleveland securing the win—Bickerstaff was particularly vocal about a late-game sequence involving Jarrett Allen and Ausar Thompson.

"[Allen] fouled Ausar [Thompson]," Bickerstaff said postgame. "It's clear. He trips him when he's going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that's tough." If that call had been made, the Pistons would have had two free throws with just seconds left in a tied game—a potential game-changer.

But crew chief Tony Brothers wasn't having it. In the postgame Pool Report, Brothers explained the no-call: "During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball." He added that the play would be reviewed by the league office, and the Last Two Minute Report would settle the matter.

Now, the official report is out, and it backs Brothers completely. The ruling states: "Allen (CLE) and Thompson (DET) legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact." In other words, it was a clean play—no foul, no missed call.

For Cavs fans, this is just another chapter in a thrilling playoff run. And if you're looking to celebrate the team's grit and style, don't forget to check out our collection of Cavs-inspired gear—perfect for repping your team whether you're courtside or on the couch.

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