the worst part is that the refs influenced the momentum for 3 quarters
would have been a lopsided victory
This.
I've seen so many "chokes" that started with blatantly corrupt officiating. It totally throws a team out of their game when they have to deal with the stress of knowing they won't get calls inside, and can't play defense, let alone gain actual momentum.
This was a big component of the Kings/Lakers 2001 series and the Heat/Mavs 2005 series.