ipola, and the 24-year-olds offload ability will keep opposition defenc

NEW YORK -- After further review, the play stands as called. Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. NBA officials were already considering expanding referees instant replay options before two key plays in this post-season couldnt be changed even after refs saw them on the monitor. For now, the rules are clear about what referees can look at. But Commissioner Adam Silver said the league will "inevitably" reach a point where they can do more. "So far, in terms of all of our triggers, weve tried to maintain a line of what is clearly objectively ascertainable," Silver said Thursday. "You know, foot on the line or not, buzzer or not. My sense is where well end up is giving the referees more discretion over what they can look at once we go to replay." Silvers comments to a group of Associated Press Sports Editors came hours before Atlantas Jeff Teague tossed in a wild 3-pointer as he dribbled left with the shot clock winding down and the Hawks leading Indiana by six. When officials later reviewed the shot to see if Teague was behind the arc, it was clear he had first stepped out of bounds before shooting. As Indiana players screamed for the basket to be overturned, referee Tony Brothers explained that it couldnt be. The Golden State Warriors hung on for a 109-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their series after a similar replay issue. When officials went to the monitor to review a ball out of bounds with 18.9 seconds left and Golden State leading by two, they could see that the Warriors Draymond Green had first fouled Chris Paul. However, because that wasnt reviewable, all they could rule was the ball had gone off of Paul. Silver said its confusing for viewers to see something obvious on replay, yet the officials appear to have "blinders" on and do nothing about it. "I think the most difficult area now, even for our fans to understand, is when an official can go to replay and everyone can see something that looks like a foul or wasnt a foul, but yet the official is restricted from being able to apply, in essence, his judgment on the play," Silver said. "And I think thats an area that I think inevitably were going to reach, where an official is going to need to have some more discretion." But senior vice-president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe said its a bit of a "slippery slope" in determining how far officials can look backward before the play they are reviewing. "Those are things that when you start to have subjective calls and youre looking at a lot of things, and youre giving more discretion on what to look at, those are the problems and the issues that you try to figure out," VanDeWeghe said. "But like Adam said, giving the referees a little bit more discretion when theres something obvious that happens within the context of the foul, you want to get it right." Clippers coach Doc Rivers, a member of the leagues competition committee, said the committee talked about it last year. They apparently had the same concerns as VanDeWeghe. "Its a hard one. It really is," Rivers said. "We all want them to get everything right. But how far does that go when you start doing that? How far do you go on that? Did he step on the line? Well, maybe he fouled him. But there was a travel down there. Look, there. At some point, is it just on the ball? Is it off the ball? It can go a long way. Just think, right now were looking at one play and it takes five minutes. If you start doing that, it may take forever." The competition committee will meet again for two days in July to recommend any changes, which would have to be approved by owners. VanDeWeghe agreed with Silver that the NBA will use more replay. "Its always a balancing act at the end of the day because we want to get the calls right, want to have the players decide the game, get the calls right, but also we dont want to have a four-hour game, so were continually balancing it," VanDeWeghe said. "But if we can utilize replays more, if we can utilize data more, were going to do it to make our game better." AP Sports Writer Antonio Gonzalez in San Francisco contributed to this report. Khris Middleton Bucks Jersey . Karlovic of Croatia used his big serve to beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7). Kohlschreiber had lost all of his three previous matches against Istomin but the German broke serve for a decisive 3-2 lead in the third set and held on to reach his first final of the year. Cameron Reynolds Jersey .Connor Graham, Alex Lintuniemi and Sam Studnicka also scored for Ottawa (11-8-2). Liam Herbst made 21 saves for the win.Brendan Lemieux had both of Barries (10-10-2) goals. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/D-J-Wilson-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Bobrovsky posted a 2-0-1 record with a 1.58 goals-against average and .950 save percentage to help the Blue Jackets (35-26-6) gain five of a possible six points last week. He capped the week by making 32 saves and stopping 2-of-4 shootout attempts in a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Oscar Robertson Bucks Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. George Hill Bucks Jersey . Moments after scoring and setting off another wild celebration at Minsk arena, Platt leapt into the arms of Belarusian captain Alexei Kalyuzhny.A Champions Cup final place is the prize on offer when Saracens face Wasps in Saturdays all-English semi-final, live on Sky Sports 1 HD. So far this season its honours even between the two Premiership sides. Saracens beat Wasps 26-16 at the Ricoh Arena in December thanks to a 21-point haul from fly-half Owen Farrell, but Wasps claimed revenge when they went to Allianz Park and smashed their hosts 64-23 in an eight-try mauling that saw Jimmy Gopperth contribute 23 points.Gopperth is in superb form after converting Charles Piutaus 80th-minute try for a thrilling 25-24 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup quarter-final earlier in the month, while Farrell slotted five penalties and two conversions to guide Saracens to a 29-20 win over Saints in their quarter-final. The two fly-halves face off for the third time this season and their battle will be key in deciding the outcome, but it wont be the only one. We take a look at five head-to-heads as the two Premiership giants clash live on Sky Sports...Owen Farrell v Jimmy Gopperth Owen Farrell has been in fine form for club and country High-level performances are now the expected watermark for Farrell. The Saracens fly-half has been string-puller and goal-kicker supreme for the Premiership leaders this season - and from the tee for England - playing with the kind of confidence that has made him a consistent match-winner.But Gopperth has reasons to be confident too, after hitting that late winning touchline conversion to defeat Exeter in the quarter-finals. He described that kick as one of the highlights of his career but if hes to add to that story then its vital the New Zealander comes out the right side of this battle with the sure-footed Farrell. Watch highlights of Wasps thrilling Champions Cup quarter-final win over Exeter Gopperth wont be fazed by the challenge; hell be focused only on how to release Wasps dangerous outside backs. But Farrells polished style could prove the difference.Maro Itoje v Joe Launchbury Maro Itoje beats England team-mate Joe Launchbury in the lineout Its only a few weeks ago that Itoje was being tipped as an emerging international star. Now, after less than a handful of performances for England he already feels firmly established.Its an intriguing duel that pits his athleticism, growing form and enthusiasm against the experienced Launchbury.Saracens look to have the edge come lineout time, especially with their set piece anchored against another England lock, George Kruis. But its the damage Itoje is capable of doing on the opposition throw that will be of most concern to Wasps. Maro Itoje v Joe Launchbury 21 Age 25 48 Tackles 60 2 Missed tackles 11 51 Carries 51 25 Lineouts won 18 Alex Goode v Charles Piutau Charles Piutau has had a debut season to remember with Wasps Goode has been sensational this season and for many hes the form full-back in England. But if thats the case then Piutau is only a whisker behind.As Wasps showed against Exeter, they will attack from everywhere and Piutau has the strength and fleet-of-foot to beat the last defender, and the first defender too, for that matter.Goodes attacking style has been slightly more graceful but its been no less devastating. Alex Goode v Charles Piutau 59 Carries 77 484 Metres gained 714 7 Clean breaks 15 12 Defenders beaten 31 3 Tries 4 Billy Vunipola v Nathan Hughes Billy Vunipola will get Saracens over the gainline The two wrecking-ball No 8s will be in direct competition for a starting spot with England come the autumn internationals, with Fiji-born Hughes qualifying on residency grounds in June.ddddddddddddGeorge Smith insists the pair could forge a devastating combination at international level despite their similar strengths. Sky Live: Saracens v Wasps Mark McCall vows his players will attack the game Both players have been key performers in their respective clubs quests for a domestic and European double. They have scored two tries apiece in the Champions Cup and are the primary gain-line carriers for their sides, Hughes making 303 metres from 83 carries and Vunipola gaining 207m from 73 carriers. Nathan Hughes has beaten 20 defenders in this seasons Champions Cup Hughes has beaten 20 defenders in his six European appearances, two more than Vunipola, and the 24-year-olds offload ability will keep opposition defences on their toes.The battle of the breakdown could well decide which of these players have the greater influence. Deliver quick ruck ball in the right areas of the pitch, and this duo will thrive. Billy Vunipola v Nathan Hughes 23 Age 24 73 Carries 83 207 Metres gained 303 18 Defenders beaten 20 2 Tries 2 Chris Ashton v Christian Wade Chris Ashton has scored four tries in six European appearances this season One has registered six tries in a single outing. The other, five tries since returning from suspension.This is a fascintaing battle pitting two in-form finishers against each other, and theres an added dimension too with both keen to catch the interest of Eddie Jones ahead of Englands summer internationals. Ahead of Wasps European semi-final we found out the secret to the clubs return to the European top table Ashton relishes the big occasion and has become accustomed to delivering on those occasions too. Wade has his eye in after that six-try performance however, and both look certain to be involved heavily.In a straight head-to-head, Ashtons experience could well prove a determining factor.Watch Saracens v Wasps live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2.55pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass Also See: Sky Live: Saracens v Wasps Will Greenwoods verdict Wasps return to European elite McCall: Saracens in confident mood ' ' '