Refs in replay center to make some rulings on NBA reviews this season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 14: Referee Scott Foster signals for a replay in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets during the 2015 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2015 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA says current referees will staff its replay center this season and be able to make decisions in certain situations.
All replay reviews will still be triggered by the three reviews on the court. However, they will no longer make all the calls after the reviews, as some will now be done in the Secaucus, New Jersey facility that opened last season.
Those will include determinations such as whether a shot was a 2- or 3-pointer, or whether it beat the shot clock or end of quarter buzzer. Out of bounds calls and goaltending rulings also will be handled by the replay center.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The NBA says the modifications were unanimously approved by owners Wednesday. The league believes the changes can speed up games.
Rulings on flagrant and clear-path fouls, and player altercations will continue to be made by the three game officials.