Mark Cuban Responded To The Overturned Call That Cost The Mavs The Game Against The Blazers

The Dallas Mavericks were looking to continue their hot streak here in opening week after going 2-0 to start the season and cap things off with homestand win against visiting Trail Blazers. But that was not to be as Portland was able to gut out a tough 121-119 comeback victory on Sunday in Dallas.

The Blazers were able to withstand a big night from Kristaps Porzingis, who finished with 32 points and nine rebounds, his first such 30-point outing since 2017. CJ McCollum led his team with 35 points on the night, but it was Damian Lillard who was able to finish a drive to the basket late in the fourth that ended up being the game-winner.

But the win was not without its controversy. On the ensuing play, Lillard was called for a foul as Dorian Finney-Smith went up for a layup in the paint, but the Blazers used their challenge call and ultimately got the play overturned, which arguably sealed their victory.

The Blazers were able to get to the ball first after Porzingis won the jump ball at midcourt following the the call being overturned, and a late heave from Tim Hardaway Jr. went begging at the buzzer after Kent Bazemore split a pair of free throws. Afterward, Mark Cuban sounded off about the new rule that the league is experimenting with this season, voicing his frustration with how it is put into effect.

https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1188635594316046337
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1188635596002156545

Naturally, somebody will inevitably be unhappy in scenarios like these, but Cuban is at least partly right that the officials and the league need to provide as much transparency as possible, which they at least made some motion toward after the game.

All of these kinks will have to work themselves out on the fly, but it’s clear that the coaches’ challenge is already making its impact felt.