Celtics-Pacers L2M report backs Mazzulla's 'illegal screen' gripe

Joe Mazzulla had a point.

The NBA's last-two-minute report for the Indiana Pacers' 98-96 win over the Celtics on Monday appears to have vindicated Boston's head coach. The league's officiating review, released Tuesday, revealed that referees should've called Pascal Siakam for an offensive foul just before his game-winning bucket, a point a frustrated Mazzulla referenced multiple times postgame.

With 15 seconds remaining and the score 96-96, Siakam set a screen for Andrew Nembhard, using the play to shake off Celtics wing Jordan Walsh and switch onto the smaller Derrick White. However, Siakam caught White's leg when he set the pick, temporarily staggering the Celtics guard. He then spun past White before lofting a floater over a rushing Neemias Queta to put Indiana up two with 6.1 seconds left.

Mazzulla kept his media availability brief afterward, answering every question with the same two words before promptly ending the session.

"Illegal screen," Mazzulla said six times.

Monday marked the second game in a row in which a member of the Celtics took issue with the officiating. Following their 100-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, Jaylen Brown said the NBA "can fine me whatever they want" after calling out referees by name and deeming them "terrible." He received a $35,000 fine Monday.