Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said there was a fine line that centre Al Horford crossed, seeing him thrown out of the game on Sunday.
Horford scored 14 points from 7-of-10 shooting in his 19 minutes of court time in game three of the Eastern Conference finals series, before he was ejected for an elbow on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova.
The Hawks went on to lose 114-111 in overtime, to go 3-0 down in the series.
Horford's exit came with the two sides separated by just one point late in the first half, while Dellavedova played on to post 17 points - including 4-of-9 from three-point range.
Budenholzer said he was proud of his side's effort, especially after the shock loss of Horford midway through the game at Quicken Loans Arena.
"I think the team responded well, obviously competing and giving ourselves a chance. I think Al is very, just like all of us, proud of the effort of his team-mates," Budenholzer told a news conference.
"I've looked at the play, and officiating in our league is very difficult.
"From the replays, for me, it's somewhat difficult to see whether his elbow hits the shoulder first or hits the head first.
"If he [Horford] hits the [Dellavedova] shoulder first, then I think it's not something that's an action that deserves ejection.
"If he hit him in the head, then it's an action that deserves ejection."
Horford said, while Dellavedova played some part in the contact, he also rued his decision to lash out.
"I did think he went at me but I should have handled it better," Horford said.
"Shouldn't have gotten caught up in that and it's something I'll definitely learn from."
Chief umpire Ken Mauer later claimed Horford was given a 'Flagrant Two' foul - which results in ejection - after he "made contact above the shoulders, to the shoulder and head area, of Dellavedova".