Celtics' Morris complains about officiating after guarding LeBron - 'You can't do anything'
Guarding LeBron James is hard enough under normal circumstances. When refs are calling ticky-tack fouls, it’s nearly impossible.
That’s the lament of Celtics forward Marcus Morris, who has had the unenviable task of guarding the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar in the Eastern Conference Finals. James and the Cavs took full advantage of home court Monday night in posting a 111-102 win to tie the series at 2-2.
Morris picked up three early fouls and was limited in the first half. Then he got two more in the third, forcing him to the bench with five fouls.
https://twitter.com/SWHTown30/status/998880790644690944
The fourth foul called on Morris was particularly absurd, and it had nothing to do with guarding James.
With 10:16 left in the third period, Morris launched a 3-pointer. Kevin Love rushed over to get a hand in his face and, in the process, his feet got tangled up with Love.
This was a foul on Marcus Morris……….. (@MillerLite) pic.twitter.com/UJRzYHzcp5
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 22, 2018
Love and Morris both fell to the floor as the ball swished through the hoop. Everyone was thinking, “Four-point play for Morris!”
Nope. How about no basket and an offensive foul on Morris?
Morris couldn’t believe it, nor could the Celtics. He picked up his fifth foul a few minutes later and had to hit the bench for most of the rest of the game.
“[Foul trouble was] tough, man. I don’t really want to speak on that and get a fine,” Morris said after the game. “At the end of the day, I work hard, work my ass off to defend this position. The ticky-tack fouls — it is what it is.”
Obviously Celtics haven’t been shooting very well and they should make some of those shots regardless, but the refs have been atrocious Morris touches lebron and it’s a foul while Tatum/ brown get hacked on the arm/head and no call just “excellent defense”
— Cooper (@Coop_Morris) May 22, 2018
“It’s tough. You’re already playing against the best player in the league, and you can be a little bit physical. It’s tough to guard him. You can’t do anything, and it’s fouls, fouls. We almost had to give up baskets,” said Morris.
But… but.. Marcus Morris is the LeBron Stopper I was told…
— WGM 👑 (@WhatGattusoMad) May 22, 2018
The Celtics picked up 26 fouls while the Cavs had 23.
James scored a team-high 44 points.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday back in Boston. The Celtics are unbeaten at home in the playoffs this year, but this will prove to be their biggest challenge so far this season.
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