The Detroit Pistons suffered a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Despite leading for large stretches of the game, the Pistons fell apart down the stretch and are now 3-2 behind in the series. They have to go to Cleveland to win Game 6 on the road to stay alive and force a Game 7.
A big talking point after the Game 5 loss was officiating. It was the third straight game in which the Cavs had a massive advantage in free-throw attempts. In Cleveland's three wins, the Cavs shot 100 free throws, compared to just 54 for the Pistons. Detroit was called for 78 fouls in that stretch, while Cleveland fouled only 48 times.
Detroit is the more aggressive and physical team, so one would expect them to foul a little more than the Cavaliers. This type of foul discrepancy, however, has never happened in a three-game stretch in playoff history, per Brendan Schabath on X.
At the bare minimum, not allowing any physicality is clearly hurting the Pistons. Compared to the Western Conference series, where the Timberwolves seem to be allowed to bludgeon Victor Wembanyama regularly, or the Thunder pushing and shoving their way into getting over screens against the Lakers, the Pistons' physicality is getting unfairly punished.
Yet, that is the least of Detroit's concerns. The controversial calls at the end of Game 5 all went in Cleveland's favor. Ausar Thompson clearly got tripped by Jarrett Allen on the last play of regulation. In the previous 47 minutes of the game, it would have easily been called a foul, but happening with a few seconds left in a tie game, the referees swallowed their whistles.
While that play understandably received the most attention, another controversial call earlier went under the radar.
What a swing here. Cade gets fooled/confused by Donovan’s deferral, which ends up being a frisbee and could have been an easy steal/layup the other way.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 14, 2026
Instead: Cavs retain possession, Mobley fouled, tie hame. pic.twitter.com/51bZ0nYqnT
NBA's refusal to admit officiating mistakes rubs salt into the Pistons' wound
With 45 seconds left in the game and the Cavs down two, Tobias Harris is called for a ticky-tack reach-in foul, sending Evan Mobley to the free-throw line. We never saw a replay of this play, but even Mobley seemed surprised and confused when he got the foul call. OKC's perimeter defenders getting called for a foul on this same play is impossible to imagine.
After the game, the NBA released its Last Two Minute Report, going through every call down the stretch. For the play above, it says, "Harris (DET) initiates contact with Mobley's (CLE) body that affects his SQBR [speed, quickness, balance, rhythm] at the start of his drive," before adding that it was the correct call.
About the Ausar Thompson play at the end, the report indicates, "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," highlighting that the no-call was the correct one.
In fact, of all the calls the referees made in the final two minutes of regulation and the final two minutes of overtime, there was apparently not a single incorrect call. Every single review decision was categorized as "correct call" or correct no call".
The NBA's admission of its referees' mistakes wouldn't have changed the outcome. Pistons fans are going to be angry, regardless. However, this refusal to acknowledge the reality that anyone who has watched the game sees only adds to the frustration.
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