NBA says Marcus Smart committed lane violation during late free throw

Marcus Smart was perhaps as heroic as he has ever been during the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 3 win in their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on Friday. However, according to the NBA, he made a key mistake in crunch time that wasn't called by the referees who were working the contest.

With less than 30 seconds left, the Lakers trailed 101-95 and seemed to be on their way to their first loss of the series. Smart then stole the ball from Jabari Smith Jr. in the backcourt and was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer. While he made all three free throws, the NBA's Last Two Minute Report indicated that Smart committed a lane violation on one of those foul shots, per ESPN.

"Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart should have been called for a lane violation on his free throw attempt late in the fourth quarter of L.A.'s eventual 112-108 overtime win in Game 3 of their first-round series with the Houston Rockets, the NBA announced Saturday," wrote Dave McMenamin.

"In the league's Last Two Minute Report, the NBA deemed that Smart stepped over the line before the ball reached the rim on his free throw that cut the Rockets' lead from four to three with 25.5 seconds left in the fourth. Smart went to the line for three free throws after he was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer."

Overall, Smart had 21 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, five steals and two blocks. So far in this series, the veteran guard is averaging 20.3 points on 52.9% overall shooting and 50% from 3-point range, 8.3 assists, 3.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.