MILWAUKEE -- The good news is folks won’t have to wait until the league’s two-minute report to learn why the officials ruled a shot-clock violation against Milwaukee on a potential tipped-in shot attempt in the closing seconds.
With the Bucks ahead 98-97 and in possession of the ball, there was a jumpball called between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Marcus Smart with 0.2 seconds on the shot clock.
Antetokounmpo tipped the ball to Brook Lopez, who immediately tapped it towards the rim with the goal being to kill as much of the 3.7 seconds remaining off the clock as possible.
But after the officials huddled together, they ruled that it was a shot-clock violation.
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After the game, pool reporter Eric Nehm of The Athletic spoke with NBA crew chief Mike Callahan about the call.
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Q: Please explain why there was a shot clock violation off the jump ball with 3.7 seconds remaining (in the game)?
Callahan: “With .2 seconds, the 24-second clock didn’t start until (Brook) Lopez possessed the ball. When he possesses the ball, you cannot have a legal shot attempt with .2 on the shot clock.”
Q: Does the clock start on that play when Giannis (Antetokounmpo) tips the ball or when Brook Lopez catches it?
Callahan: “The 24-second clock starts when Lopez has possession of the ball on his shot attempt.”
Q: How much time is needed to execute a tip without it being a violation?
Callahan: “A legal tip play can occur with .1 or .2 tenths of a second.”
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