From Chicago Sun-Times.
Coach Billy Donovan rarely criticizes anything outside of his own locker room, but he had trouble with that play.
“It’s a clear violation, unequivocally [Mitchell was] crossing the line on the basket before the ball ever touches the rim,’’ Donovan said. “He beat Patrick, but kind of the reason he beat Patrick was because he went in there too early. Listen, in that situation, we have to find a way to come up with the ball.’’
Williams knew that and even had a hard time getting through the postgame interview without showing some of that emotion.
“I did hear other guys saying he kind of left early; regardless, I feel like we’ve got to come up with that rebound,’’ Williams said. “Obviously, the officiating didn’t go our way all night, so I shouldn’t have expected it to go our way late in the game, especially down the stretch.