“It wasn’t a jump ball”: Zach LaVine criticizes referees for the call that led to Damian Lillard knocking down a buzzer-beater

Zach LaVine doesn’t agree with the referees calling for a jump ball in the final seconds of the game leading to a Damian Lillard game winner.

Damian Lillard has added yet another shiny moment to his ever-expanding collection of clutch shots. Seems as though Dame has at least one side step game-clinching shot from beyond the arc in every season.

The Portland Trail Blazers rallied back from down 5 with 8.2 seconds left in the ballgame to steal this one from Chicago in what must’ve been a heartbreaking loss for the Bulls. Damian Lillard capped the night off with 44 points on 58% shooting from the field.

DAMIAN LILLARD WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QmkwTgIByU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2021

Also Read: “Carmelo Anthony would’ve had 3 championships if he had LeBron James’ teammates”: NBA fan’s insane hot take on Lakers and Blazers stars gets ridiculed

Players on the Chicago Bulls are clearly frustrated with the way the season has played out for them. Garrett Temple could be seen visibly upset with Dame’s clutch shots towards the end of the game. Their leading scorer Zach LaVine didn’t hold back either when talking about a controversial call made by the referees in the closing moments of the game.

Zach LaVine says that the call made by the refs was incorrect

The Blazers got the ball back after Dame hit a 3 with less than 10 seconds left because of a jump ball call made by the referees. Zach LaVine got tied before he could make it past halfcourt with two Blazers trying to poke the ball away from him.

Following the game, LaVine laid bare his thoughts concerning the call: “I didn’t think it was a jump ball. I didn’t think they had their hands on it.”

Zach LaVine: “I didn’t think it was a jump ball. I didn’t think they had their hands on it.”

LaVine added even with that, a team shouldn’t lose 5-point lead with 11 seconds left.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 31, 2021

Both Gary Trent and Rodney Hood got tangled up with LaVine and it seemed as though Trent did in fact get a piece of the ball. However, a foul call would’ve been more appropriate in this situation. NBA fans on Twitter also disagreed with this being a jump ball.

We know bro. Anyone with eyes knows. pic.twitter.com/hmYancxj48

— Artūras Karnišovas Fan Club (@arturasfanclub) January 31, 2021

Also Read: “OKC going after Bronny James?”: Intense speculation about LeBron James’ eldest son’s NBA future is going rife on Twitter

The Bulls continue to fight for a play-in spot as they are currently on the outside looking in with the 11^th seed out East. The Blazers on the other hand look to stay afloat and in the Playoff race while Damian Lillard’s star teammates CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic are on the mend.