http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16835046.htm Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman didn't know why Ricky Davis' pivotal three-point attempt was changed to a two-point attempt. But Wittman sure was mad after the game Sunday. With 15.1 seconds left in the first overtime and the Wolves trailing the Boston Celtics 105-102, Davis was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. Replays clearly showed he was behind the three-point line when he was fouled. Official Violet Palmer, who called the foul, held her hand up, indicating a three-point attempt. But after the Celtics disputed the call, Palmer and her two colleagues, David Guthrie and Mike Callahan, conferred on the court. After the discussion, Davis was sent to the free-throw line for two shots instead of three. "They guessed," a clearly upset Wittman said after the 124-117 double-overtime loss. "It was a guess. Violet had it as a three. Then I don't know what happened. The other two had to have guessed because obviously everybody's watched it (on replay), and it's not even close. To guess, that's not right. That cost us a game. That cost us a game." Palmer and her colleagues didn't take questions from the media because, according to the NBA, they didn't have to comment because the change was determined to be a "judgment call," so no clarification was necessary. "They said he was inside the line," said Wittman, relaying the explanation he was given from the officials. "They can spin it any way they want. They had it as a three originally, and for whatever reason, she was talked out of it. "Then they're going to give me the excuse that there are so many feet involved in the play. Are you kidding me? That they couldn't tell whose feet was whose. That's their job." Had Davis been given three free throws and made them all, that could have changed Wolves' strategy for the rest of the overtime period. As it turned out, Davis made both his attempts, and the Wolves fouled Boston's Delonte West to stop the clock. West made two free throws, putting the Wolves in a three-point hole. After that, Kevin Garnett hit a three-pointer that sent the game into a second overtime. The Wolves believe the game never should have gone that far. "They called a three at first, I guess," Davis said. "And Violet changed the call." Garnett, sitting a few feet away in the Wolves' locker room, interrupted: "(Celtics coach) Doc Rivers changed the call!" Continued Davis: "Doc Rivers changed the call, actually. He yelled I crossed over and hit the line, and (Palmer) believed it." After the game, Rivers said his team needed a break, and he was going to take it. "Yeah, I honestly did think (Davis) stepped in front" of the three-point line, Rivers said. Hassell injured: Trenton Hassell sprained his left ankle on the Wolves' first possession of the game. Hassell shot a jumper and injured his ankle when he stepped on Kendrick Perkins' foot. Hassell, who turned 28 Sunday, left the game moments later and did not return. He said he hopes to be able to play Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He's listed as day to day. "This is really one that you have to see what 24 hours does," Wittman said. "He's limping around pretty good right now." Still some fans: Davis and Mark Blount played in their first game in Boston since the January 2006 trade that sent Wally Szczerbiak and Michael Olowokandi to the Celtics as part of a multiplayer deal. Blount was booed when the starting lineups were introduced. The reaction for Davis was mixed, but he still had a cheering section. Davis bought 21 tickets for the Get Buckets Brigade, Davis' fan section when he was a Celtic. Davis scored a season-high 35 points, and Blount had 12 before fouling out in the first overtime. Briefly: Davis' family still lives in Boston but weren't able to attend the game. His parents were watching Davis' younger brother EB play for Lawrence Academy in the New England Class C Tournament finals in Groton, Mass. Lawrence Academy won the championship, and Davis was named the MVP after posting 26 points and 10 rebounds. --

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