Did Refs Call Too Many Fouls in Celtics-Heat Game 1?

The Miami Heat fired the first shot in the battle for the Eastern Conference and the right to go to the NBA Finals. Their opposition, the Boston Celtics, just looked a step slower and did not execute as well. The Heat took Game 1 by a final score of 93-71, led by the team's two-headed monster in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Unfortunately, some poor officiating overshadowed the Heat's big win on Monday night.

NBA referee Danny Crawford and his fellow officials seemed a little too whistle-happy throughout the game, calling fouls on the Celtics left and right. Some fouls were the right call; others, you could make a case for. But if you watched the first half, you witnessed some downright questionable calls -- specifically, technical fouls given to Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and team leaders Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Those technical fouls were panned by observers online and even at the game. NBA on ESPN commentator and former Heat head coach Jeff Van Gundy was particularly stunned, saying that it doesn't matter if it's a high school game or the Eastern Conference Finals -- some of those fouls should have never been leveled against the Celtics.

Obviously, the Celtics have to win their games no matter what calls come their way, but it's always unfortunate when officials—fairly or unfairly—have to affect the tone of playoff games.