Kevin Love’s Elbow To DeMar DeRozan Has Been Upgraded To A Flagrant Foul And Raptors Fans Will Be Mad

The Raptors controlled almost all of Game 1 against the Cavaliers, but as has happened so many times in the past, Cleveland still managed to escape Toronto with an overtime win. The Cavs never led in regulation, but pulled ahead in overtime. The Raptors’ inability to score despite multiple chances on the final possession loomed large in Cleveland’s 113-112 win.

Late in the fourth quarter, there was a controversial play following a defensive rebound by Kevin Love in which he was apparently fouled by DeMar DeRozan in an effort of stealing the ball back for Toronto. Love then swung his elbows up high and caught DeRozan across the jaw, sending him to the floor.

Love was assessed an offensive foul for that elbow, giving Toronto the ball back, but many were surprised that it wasn’t reviewed given that it was a clear shot to the head of DeRozan. Well, on Wednesday, the NBA announced it should have been reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 1, which would have given the Raptors free throws and the ball. This almost certainly would have swung the outcome of the game given that it ended up tied in regulation.

It’s important to note that the Last Two Minutes report also indicates the referees should have called DeRozan for a foul prior to the elbow, which Cavs fans will undoubtedly point to, but for the referees to not review for a flagrant after calling a foul on a clear hit to the head was confusing at the time and will only anger Raptors fans more now.

Toronto could have won Game 1 if they had done many different things right, so it’s impossible to put a loss on the officiating (especially when they got away with a foul just prior to the missed flagrant). Still, this still won’t sit right with the Raptors.