Today's Official Report Game 1 5/16

[FLCeltsFan]

Today's referees are:
Dan Crawford
Home Team W/L 45/33
Home Team Win % in playoffs 56%
Calls 45 fouls per game
53% of fouls are called on the road team
Crawford has officiated 1,600+ regular season games, 190+ play-off games and 18 NBA Finals games. Prior to the NBA, Crawford officiated in high school for 12 years, 8 years at the collegiate level (MVC and CCAC) and 4 years in the CBA (NBA development league). Crawford is a long time Chicago resident and was involved in a bit of controversy when he officiated a game in the Bulls series last year and then was seen exiting the arena with family members all decked out in Bulls gear.

Ken Mauer
Home Team W/L 39/32
Home team win % in playoffs 50%
Calls 45 fouls per game
49% of fouls are called on the road team
Mauer has been a referee since the 1986-87 season and has officiated over 1,200+ regular season games, 70+ play-off games and 3 NBA Finals games. He has been a road friendly ref in the playoffs, calling more fouls on the home team than on the road team. Mauer is very quick to call technicals and in one game, once ejected Doc less than 3 minutes into a game. No doubt about Mauer's character, he was charged with tax evasion and obstructing federal tax laws for receiving substantial taxable income from 1989 through 1994 and failing to declare it. He was one of the refs in the controversial Miami/Dallas Finals where the foul calls were totally lopsided.

Michael Smith
Home Won Loss 44/25
Playoff Home Team Win % 100% (only 4 games so small sample)
Calls 43 fouls per game
% Fouls Called on Road Team 52%
He has officiated over 740+ regular season games and 8 play-off games. One of Smith’s favorite pastimes is officiating games in his church’s basketball league. Smith is one of the younger refs in the playoffs and usually the younger refs don't have as many biases built up as the older refs. With a 100% home win record, he may be influenced by the home crowd though.


If David Stern has any sense, he will favor the Celtics in this matchup. Last year's finals between the Magic and Lakers were just so-so. Another Celtics/Lakers finals would be in the league's and Stern's best interest. But the big question here is whether Stern actually has any sense.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Ken Mauer, yuck... though I think Howard might have a tough time with him.

[PosImpos]

Ugh...Ken Mauer.  It's a good thing the Magic aren't known for getting star calls.

[P2]

Ugh...Ken Mauer.  It's a good thing the Magic aren't known for getting star calls.

The Magic are getting anti-star calls.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Overall I thought it was a well officiated game, particularly in that I think it was quite even and consistent both ways. You never know when Mauer is in town.

[CoachBo]

Does anyone doubt that Bennett Salvatore will be working Game 2?

It'd be the biggest upset of the playoffs if he doesn't.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Does anyone doubt that Bennett Salvatore will be working Game 2?

It'd be the biggest upset of the playoffs if he doesn't.

Depends if Phoenix beats LA or not. I think Stern is more concerned with making sure LA makes it, than making sure that Boston doesn't make it. I don't think he likes Orlando that much.