The NBA has had a problem with officials for a while now. They have tried to fix some of the issues, but some others just can’t be fixed. On Tuesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers were the latest team to have some issues with NBA officials. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers are protesting the finish of their game.
Within the last minute of their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups can clearly be seen asking for a timeout before a double-dribble is called on Malcolm Brogdon. At the time, the Blazers were up 109-108. They wound up losing 111-109.
Here is what the NBA’s rulebook says about protests:
“IN ORDER TO PROTEST AGAINST OR APPEAL FROM THE RESULT OF A GAME, NOTICE THEREOF MUST BE GIVEN TO THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF SAID GAME, BY E-MAIL OR FAX, STATING THEREIN THE GROUNDS FOR SUCH PROTEST. NO PROTEST MAY BE FILED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY GAME PLAYED DURING THE REGULAR SEASON AFTER MIDNIGHT OF THE DAY OF THE LAST GAME OF THE REGULAR SCHEDULE. A PROTEST IN CONNECTION WITH A PLAYOFF GAME MUST BE FILED NOT LATER THAN MIDNIGHT OF THE DAY OF THE GAME PROTESTED.”
The Blazers got their protest in within hours after the game had ended. They have five days to provide evidence of the protested action.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is the final authority on protests. But the procedural work is handled by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations, and his office.
In the Blazers case, Billups was not granted a timeout. He then ran onto the court to talk to the ref when the double-dribble was called. He was given a technical foul for that. Billups then continued to state his case and was given a second tech, which would eject him from the game.
“We’ve got timeouts,” Billups said afterward. “Referees usually are prepared for that, you know, that instance, that situation. I’m at half court, trying to call a timeout. It’s just frustrating. My guys played too hard for that. It’s a frustrating play.”
According to a pool report interview, crew chief Bill Kennedy said Billups was not granted a timeout because the referee was focused on the play in front of him, making it “difficult” for him to hear and see Billups’ request.
So what could happen with the protest?
A: The NBA could rule the ending of the game has been upheld. Nothing happens. Seasons will move on with the results in hand.
B: The NBA could overturn the ruling (uphold the protest), awarding the Blazers with a timeout. The two teams would then resume the last 16 seconds of the game with the Blazers up 109-108.
If scenario B happens, then they would resume that portion of the game on March 6, when they meet again. With Brogdon being a favored name on the trade market, it’s possible that the Blazers need to replace him on the court for those last seconds.
The last protest that was upheld came on Dec. 19, 2007 when Shaquille O’Neal had incorrectly been ruled to have six fouls, he only had five. By the time the game had been resumed, O’Neal had been traded to Phoenix.
TL//DR: Blazers protesting the finish of their game against the Thunder.