MIAMI — By rule, any substitute checking into an NBA game must first report his intentions to the scorer's table. But Phillips knew Murray was on his way to checking in long before the play was dead and allowed him to enter the game. It all led the NBA to announce in late January its plan to improve how players and referees get along. Former referee Monty McCutchen, now an NBA vice president overseeing referee development and training, and NBA senior vice president Michelle Johnson met with clubs to listen to their perspective. The NBA said 902 technicals were called last season; that figure has also been topped this season, albeit only by about 30.

Source: Philippine Star April 10, 2018 08:03 UTC