Updated: May 11, 2009, 3:01 PM ET

Hollinger's Gems: May 11, 2009

Blown calls, Orlando playing without a point and Rick Carlisle's gutsy move in Game 3

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Hollinger By John Hollinger
ESPN.com
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1. The blown call at the end of Denver's 106-105 Game 3 victory over Dallas is getting all the attention Monday, and deservedly so (the Nuggets are now up 3-0 in the series). But we also shouldn't overlook the officiating in the first 47:55. It was yet another classic example of Bennett Salvatore running wild with his whistle, something that always seems to happen when he's working a Mavs playoff game. (I'm not just talking about Game 5 of the '06 Finals, either. For instance, sometime when you're really bored this summer, get a tape of Game 1 of the 2003 Western Conference finals.)

To give one example, the Nuggets were justifiably angry over a call by Salvatore with 1:28 left when Carmelo Anthony went on the floor to tie up Josh Howard and was whistled for a dubious foul. Howard made only one of the two free throws, leaving the door open for Melo's game-winning heroics at the end.

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