The Houston Rockets are reportedly looking to protest their recent 135-133 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs, per multiple sources.
… protest might not be necessary but will prepare to file one if the league office does not take action.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 4, 2019
Rockets weighing protesting the game, source said. Only thing holding them back is it might not be necessary because a made basket did not count in which case the NBA could step in. (FWIW, points were put on the scoreboard. Don't know if they were in the official book.)
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 4, 2019
If they win the protest or NBA rules on it without a protest, can count the basket and a two-point win or (more likely in the rare event of a successful protest) they replay from that point on. Again, very rare for a protest to work, but when the ball goes in, points are awarded. https://t.co/6Ix6dVcEdJ
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 4, 2019
Officials did not reward Rockets superstar James Harden two points for his breakaway dunk with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. In real time, Harden appeared to have blown the dunk as the ball bounced off the rim.
But when the broadcast showed the replay, the ball did, in fact, go through the basket. Harden slammed the ball so hard that it looped its way back to the cylinder, hence, making it look like it rattled out of the rim.
However, even with the replays, the officials still deemed it as a no basket. Had they counted the dunk, Houston would have had a 104-89 lead with a little less than eight minutes remaining in the game. The momentum shifted from that point on, and Houston went on to lose in double-overtime.
Officials did admit after the game that the shot should have counted. However, they claim that Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni was not able to file his challenge within the allotted time.
Sure, the shot alone doesn't take away the fact that the Rockets squandered a huge lead and allowed San Antonio to come back in the fourth quarter and eventually take the game.
Nevertheless, the Rockets definitely have a case in protesting the blown call. They were robbed of two points there and given the final score, it could have swung the tide towards their way.
It will be interesting to see how the league will respond to Houston's protest.
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