Context:

The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a narrow loss to the Indiana Pacers, partially due to crucial missed calls by referees during the game's final moments. The NBA's Last Two Minute Report highlighted two missed lane-violation calls that directly impacted the outcome. The first occurred when Aaron Nesmith prematurely entered the lane for a putback dunk during a pivotal 8-0 run, which should have resulted in a jump ball. The second infraction involved Tyrese Haliburton crashing for his own rebound after missing a free throw, which also warranted a double lane violation call. These missed calls were detrimental to the Cavaliers, who were already handicapped by injuries and unable to even the series, leaving them in a precarious position moving forward.

Dive Deeper:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers lost a close game to the Indiana Pacers, with the outcome significantly influenced by missed referee calls in the last moments of the match.

• The NBA's Last Two Minute Report identified missed lane-violation calls during crucial plays that should have been recognized, impacting the result of the game.

• One missed call occurred when Aaron Nesmith of the Pacers entered the lane too early for a putback dunk, contributing to an 8-0 run that shifted the game's momentum.

• A second missed lane violation involved Tyrese Haliburton, who, after missing a free throw, prematurely went for his own rebound, which should have led to a jump ball situation.

• These officiating errors compounded the Cavaliers' frustrations, as they were already playing without key players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter due to injuries.

• The missed referee calls left the Cavaliers unable to even the series, accentuating their challenges and leaving them with their backs against the wall.

• The Cavaliers' situation highlights the critical impact that accurate officiating has on game outcomes, especially when teams are already facing significant adversities.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers were losers on crucial referee calls on the two biggest plays of Tuesday night's heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers.

• In the NBA's Last Two Minute Report, which breaks down the officiating late in games, the league admitted it missed lane-violation calls in the two biggest moments.

• The first one came with the Cavs up 119-112. Aaron Nesmith crashed for a putback dunk to start the Pacers' game-ending 8-0 run.

• Nesmith clearly came in early, and so did a Cleveland player, so the NBA said that should've been a jump ball for double lane violations.

• Then leading up to the game-winning basket, the Pacers committed another lane violation, according to the NBA. Tyrese Haliburton missed a free throw down two points, and he crashed for his own rebound. That, too, should've been a double lane violation, per the NBA.

• The Cavs made their own mistakes to blow the lead, but this won't help them feel any better.

• Cleveland needed that game to even the series at 1-1. It would've been especially nice given the Cavaliers were playing without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter due to injury.

• Now, the Cavs' backs are against the wall, and it won't help them feel any better that they should've probably won if the refs just blew their whistles when they were supposed to.

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