NBA L2M: Nesmith Kicked Ball Call in Pacers-Knicks Was Incorrect; Turner Foul Correct

The New York Knicks may have won anyway, but they certainly benefited from incorrect officiating near the end of their 121-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Monday's Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

The NBA released the last-two-minute report from that game on Tuesday and determined officials made a critical error when they whistled Aaron Nesmith for a kicked ball violation in the final minute with the game tied. It negated a Pacers steal, and Donte DiVincenzo ended up hitting a go-ahead three-pointer on that possession.

Officials also erroneously called Myles Turner for an offensive foul in the final seconds, although his controversial moving screen on a previous play was deemed the correct whistle.

It is not an overstatement to say the missed call on the kicked ball violation drastically swung the game and perhaps the series.

Had the officials not incorrectly blown their whistle, Indiana's defense would have forced a turnover and potential transition opportunity to take the lead in the final minute. Instead, the Knicks never trailed again after DiVincenzo's three-pointer.

Making matters worse for Indiana is the fact a kicked ball violation is not reviewable.

Referee Zach Zarba admitted to the mistake after the game:

Even given that unfortunate scenario for the visitors, the Pacers gave themselves an opportunity to win the game thanks to a Pascal Siakam basket and defensive stop. Yet Turner was called for a moving screen with 12 seconds remaining and his team trailing by just one point.

That the last-two-minute report said it was the correct call is not surprising since Indiana did challenge that one. The challenge was unsuccessful, and Jalen Brunson then hit three free throws to all but clinch the win for the Knicks.

Brunson was once again the leader for the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed and finished with 43 points, six assists and six rebounds on 14-of-26 shooting from the field. He has poured in 40 or more points in four straight playoff games and could end up leading New York to its first conference finals since 2000.

If he does, Knicks fans surely won't mind if there is some officiating controversy along the way.