NBA says Mitchell’s desperation score shouldn’t have counted

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer

Donovan Mitchell sent the best game of his career to overtime with an incredible play. A little too incredible, the NBA said. Mitchell’s desperation basket that forced overtime — off an intentionally missed free throw — and extended what became his 71-point effort for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 145-134 win over the Chicago Bulls shouldn’t have counted, the NBA said Tuesday. The reason: Mitchell stepped “over the plane of the free throw line before the ball touches the basket ring,” the league said. That’s a violation and Chicago should have been awarded possession with a two-point lead.