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Boston Celtics

Celtics-Heat get marquee referee crew for Game 7

By Alex Barth May 29th
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 18: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 123-109. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

No major league has its referees followed more closely than the NBA. Lead officials are often well known among fans, and their trends are closely tracked. So, when there’s a big game it’s not uncommon to see fans dig deep on the assignments.

That will be the case for Monday night’s Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. The referee assignments were announced Monday morning, and have the league going with a very well-known crew for what is one of the most anticipated games in recent history.

  • Scott Foster and Tony Brothers are two of the most well-known refs in the league, each usually running their own crew. They’ll work together Monday night, with Foster as the crew chief and Brothers as the referee. John Goble will join them as the umpire.

    All three have already worked games this series. Brothers was the crew chief for the Celtics’ 128-102 loss in Game 3, while Goble was on Foster’s crew for the C’s 116-99 win. It will be the first time any of them have worked a game in Boston this series. Foster was the crew chief for the Celtics’ Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinal round.

    With Foster working their games in the playoffs, the Celtics are 21-20 all-time, while the Heat are 24-16. However, the Heat have lost 13 of their last 14 Foster games.

    The numbers are more skewed for Brothers – the Heat are 17-10 in his playoff games, while the Celtics are 7-17, and 2-14 in the last 16 he’s worked.

  • Goble is lesser known that the other two, and has less history with both teams. The Celtics are 10-11 in his playoff games, while the Heat are 5-9.

    There is some more recent history between Goble and the Celtics though. Back in November, he made headlines for a controversial technical foul call against Jayson Tatum that was later rescinded by the league.

  • How much of a say will the referees have in this one? We’ll find out soon enough.

    Game 7 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. Pregame coverage begins at 8:00 on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Sports Hub BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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