With the Bulls down by five points, they decide to foul Tony Parker with 50 seconds left.  Despite Tony Parker hitting the first foul shot, it was still a two possession game, and with slightly less than a minute left there was still plenty of time for a comeback.  Tony Parker missed the second foul shot, but the Bulls allowed Richard Jefferson to grab the offensive rebound, effectively clinching the game (the Bulls had to foul again after a Spurs’ timeout, Richard Jefferson hit both FTs, and it was now an 8 point game with 46 seconds left).

Even though Jefferson was the one who grabbed the rebound, the man to blame for the Bulls was somebody you wouldn’t really expect, Joakim Noah:

As Tony Parker releases the basketball, everyone on the Bulls seem to be in proper position.  Luol Deng does a very good job of boxing Richard Jefferson out, Kyle Korver and Joakim Noah are double teaming Tim Duncan, and C.J. Watson is coming in from the outside to box out Parker.  However, Noah releases his box out way too early.

Instead of holding his box, Noah approaches the rim and he is going to rely on his jumping ability.  The problem with releasing his box-out here is that it creates space between himself and Tim Duncan.

That space is what allows Duncan to jump up and get his hand on the basketball, knocking it away from Noah.

The ball lands in Richard Jefferson’s hands, and the Bulls are forced to foul again after a Spurs’ timeout.  Here is the play in real time.  Here is the play in real time:

You are always taught to hold your box-out vs. jumping with the opponent and this is the perfect example why.  If Noah holds his box out and Duncan tries to jump over him, its a foul on Duncan.  However, because both men are jumping, there is no foul and the Spurs are able to retain possession.