The NBA suspended Dallas Mavericks public-address announcer Sean Heath for two games after he criticized referees. Heath tweeted critical remarks about the officiating during April 1's game against Golden State, ESPN reports.
Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN the league has suspended Heath for two games.
Heath blasted the officiating of the Mavericks' 122-120 overtime loss to the Warriors, going as far as citing the game as an example for why the NBA has a "reputation that games are rigged."
@nba Danny Crawford just blew a goaltending call and cost the Mavs a game. We will all be awaiting your apology. #pathetic
— Sean Heath (@theseanheath) April 2, 2014
@EyeOnBasketball That headline should read: Danny Crawford buries Mavericks. Again. — Sean Heath (@theseanheath) April 2, 2014
@nba If you have the technology to get calls right, we'd all LOVE to see it implemented as soon as possible. These. Games. Matter. #thefans
— Sean Heath (@theseanheath) April 2, 2014
@nba : The ONLY professional league in the US with the reputation that the games are rigged. Know why? Because of games like tonight. #shame — Sean Heath (@theseanheath) April 2, 2014
The NBA acknowledged the next day that a goaltending call should have been called on Warriors center Jermaine O'Neal, who blocked a shot by Mavericks guard Monta Ellis with 16 seconds left in overtime.
Heath will serve the first game of his suspension on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns; the second game will be served either in the first home game of the playoffs or in next season's home opener, depending on whether Dallas makes the postseason.
