National Basketball Association

What is this, the NFL? NBA admits refs blew call that cost Pelicans

Published Jan. 12, 2014 11:37 p.m. ET

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The NBA says an officiating mistake at the end of this weekend's game between Dallas and New Orleans cost the Pelicans a chance to tie it.

President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said Sunday that a foul should've been called on Monta Ellis of the Mavericks as Austin Rivers tried a 3-point shot at the last second.

Rivers was tied up by Ellis and the shot got nowhere close to the basket Saturday night. The Mavericks won 110-107.

Thorn says a review of postgame video shows Ellis made contact with Austin's arms. The NBA says Austin should have been given three free throws with sixth-tenths of a second left.

Pelicans coach Monty Williams argued for a foul as the officials left the court. He later said it was ''embarrassing'' that there was no call.

Here is the official statement from the league: