Refs quickly land in NBA Finals spotlight

One fascinating game into the NBA Finals — after LeBron James scored 51 points, Stephen Curry provided his customary entertainment and J.R. Smith became a universal punch line — the officials found themselves in a prominent role.

This stretched from Ken Mauer and Tony Brothers, two of the referees who worked Game 1 on Thursday night, to league executives contemplating whether to hand out suspensions. Mauer reversed a crucial charging call on Warriors forward Kevin Durant in the final minute of regulation, enraging the Cavaliers.

They found some relief Friday, upon learning Cavs forward Kevin Love will not be suspended for leaving the bench during an overtime fracas in Thursday night’s game.