Pool Report from Tonight’s Pistons vs. Cavaliers Game

 

The Pool Report interview was conducted by Chris Fedor (Cleveland.com) with Crew Chief Zach Zarba following tonight’s Detroit vs. Cleveland game

 

May 15, 2026

 

QUESTION: Why didn’t you believe the play between Ausar Thompson and Sam Merrill met the criteria for a Flagrant Foul penalty 2?

 

ZARBA: The criteria for a Flagrant Foul 2 would be windup, impact and follow-through. On this particular play there was impact and follow-through, but there was no windup. It was unnecessary contact but also not excessive, so that’s why it wasn’t upgraded to a Flagrant 2.

 

QUESTION: On that play did you see any contact to the head or neck area?

 

ZARBA: Yes. There was open-hand contact by Thompson to the neck of Merrill. We did see that on the video.