SALT LAKE CITY — Jordan Clarkson’s foot was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Philadelphia forward Paul George had frantically grabbed an offensive rebound with the shot clock winding down and turned to shoot a desperation fadeaway. In the process, his foot just clipped Clarkson’s and sent him tumbling down.
Foul.
Jazz coach Will Hardy quickly challenged the play, but after review, the call stood. That was one of three reviews in the closing minute that went Philadelphia’s way as the 76ers escaped Utah with a 114-111 victory Saturday at the Delta Center.
Boos rained down on the refs after each ruling, and the George call even led to a hearty chant that clearly demonstrated the crowd’s displeasure.
To be fair, it had been a while since those fans got to cheer for their team.
“I feel like we’ve been on the road for like a year,” Hardy said. “It feels like we haven’t been here forever.”
Saturday was Utah’s first home game in over two weeks and just the team’s third game at the Delta Center this month. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Saturday’s contest proved to be one of the best atmospheres of the season.
It helped that things were so close.
The game was within a single possession for the final 5:01, save for four seconds. That made each review that much more impactful. Officials awarded two out-of-bound plays (correctly, to be sure) to the Sixers in the final minute, along with keeping with the Clarkson foul.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 23 points, while Brice Sensabaugh and Collin Sexton both added 20 points in the loss. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey both had 32 points to pace the Sixers.
This story will be updated.
