An NBL spokesman told this masthead the league was investigating Tatum’s comments.
Tatum claimed “incompetent” referees had dictated the game in the second half as ladder leaders Illawarra (5-2) fell to their second defeat of the season.
He also lashed Goulding for “flopping” when the Melbourne veteran fell theatrically to the floor after minimal contact from Hickey.
“It was right in front of my face,” Tatum said.
“I don’t know if it was a first-time or rookie referee that wants to make a call like that but we’re just happy that Chris Goulding didn’t hurt himself flopping in front of us.
“I’m glad that he’s injury-free, but at the end of the day the officials at that time unfortunately just made a bad decision, a bad call.”
Melbourne led 87-84 at the time, with 22.1 seconds left on the clock.
Chris Goulding was accused of ‘flopping’Credit: Getty Images
Bizarrely, the Hickey-Goulding play was wiped off because the game clock did not start running when the ball was in-bounded.
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Tatum was handed his technical foul moments later while Hickey and Goulding were involved in a heated discussion on the court.
“Emotions were going high at that time because everyone in the gym thought it was a call at that time – even myself,” Tatum said.
“Once they took the time to know the clock wasn’t going, emotions digressed because we thought that we had a chance [to win].
“We were down three, but unfortunately we have another official who decides they want to give somebody a technical foul on emotions of the call.
“He wasn’t disrespected as an official, but then comes back a minute or two later and gives it to us, not right then and there.”
AAP
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