During the Cleveland Cavaliers' 133-129 overtime victory over the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday afternoon, the referees seemed to be blowing their whistles nonstop.
Videos by FanBuzz
In total, 53 fouls were called, which led to 35 free throws being attempted by each team (Cavaliers- 30/35; Trailblazers- 31/35). On that same note, Cavs' Evan Mobley and Blazers' Donovan Clingan (only 11 minutes of playing time) both fouled out.
What did Ty Jerome do here that deserved a technical foul? pic.twitter.com/jlG2WhsRTo
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) March 2, 2025
Following the win, Ty Jerome sounded off on the officiating, while calling out one referee in particular, who he named in his postgame interviews (Natalie Sago).
Cavs’ Ty Jerome: “I thought the refs were really bad tonight. Especially Natalie (Sago) … That said, you just gotta keep playing and that’s what we did.”
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 3, 2025
"I thought the refs were really bad tonight, especially Natalie, she was really bad," Ty Jerome said. "When stuff like that happens, they kind of lose control of the game. I thought that first half was ridiculous, third quarter was horrendous. You gotta keep your head and keep playing."
I asked #Cavs forward Ty Jerome about the challenges of finding a flow in a game where there are 70 combined free throws pic.twitter.com/pgwcdoPoSY
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) March 3, 2025
Evidently, Jerome did not let this affect his on-the-court play, as the 27-year-old journeyman put up 25 points (8-for-15 FG), while also contributing five rebounds, six assists, and a career-high six steals off the bench.
Ty Jerome : 25 points (8-17 shooting, 2-4 from 3 & 7-7 from the FT line), 5 rebounds, 6 assists & a career-high 6 steals in 36 minutes off the bench pic.twitter.com/RGCDUlAk5I
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) March 3, 2025
And Ty Jerome's former University of Virginia teammate, De'Andre Hunter, had a game-high 32 points (8-for-15), his most in a Wine & Gold uniform.
Ty Jerome today:
25 points (8-15 FG)
6 assists
5 rebounds
6 stealsDe’Andre Hunter today:
32 points (8-15 FG)
7 reboundsCo-Sixth Men of the Year 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/srAK3sjsPh
— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) March 2, 2025
To point out, after overcoming a 18-point second half deficit, the NBA's best-record Cavs are now 50-10 and have won their last 10 consecutive games. Notably, this is the team's third double-digit win streak of the season, as Cleveland opened up 15-0, and then went on to win 12 in a row from December 13 - January 9.
Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter in their post game interview:
“We got a resilient group. It’s always fun playing with these guys and my friends. We’re just having fun out there.” pic.twitter.com/P8KzqFhZ8L
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) March 2, 2025
Related: Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka Goes Off On Refs Following Ejection: 'Get Some F***ing Glasses'
