The Cleveland Cavaliers got their 10th straight win by outlasting the Portland Trail Blazers 133-129 in overtime in order to maintain the NBA’s best record.
With Donovan Mitchell out of action, new acquisition DeAndre Hunter scored 32 points, and reserve guard Ty Jerome exploded for 25 points, five rebounds, six assists and six steals.
But after the game, Jerome said he felt the officiating was bad, and it resulted in him being fined by the league.
“Cavs Ty Jerome has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating last night,” Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland wrote on X.
#Cavs Ty Jerome has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating last night.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) March 3, 2025
Jerome singled out one official in his postgame comments.
“I thought the refs were really bad tonight, especially Natalie [Sago]. She was really bad,” Jerome said.
Ty Jerome has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for public criticism of the officiating after the Cavs' OT win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday:
"I thought the refs were really bad tonight, especially Natalie [Sago]. She was really bad."
(via @hoopshype)pic.twitter.com/tvM2H9Kb18
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 3, 2025
The Cavs played poorly in the first half, scoring just 42 points, and they trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter before making a push in the fourth quarter that enabled them to emerge victorious.
Jerome is averaging 12.0 points per game on 51.6 percent field-goal shooting and 44.9 percent from 3-point range while contributing 3.4 assists per game.
He played in just two games for Cleveland last season because of a foot injury, but he’s proving to be a worthy investment after they signed him to a two-year, $5.0 million contract.
He has elevated his offensive game lately by reaching the 20-point mark in three of his past four games, and he could play a key role for them this postseason as they look to win their first NBA championship since 2016.
NEXT: Cavs Have Notable Winning Streak In Overtime Games
