Sources — Blazers to protest loss to Thunder after ‘irritating’ play

The Portland Path Blazers are submitting a protest with the NBA to problem the results of a 111-109 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday evening, sources informed ESPN.

The Blazers are contending that coach Chauncey Billups — with a 109-108 lead — was clearly calling a timeout on the sideline earlier than a referee whistled a double dribble on guard Malcolm Brogdon with 15.1 seconds left within the fourth quarter in Oklahoma Metropolis.

In response, Billups reacted angrily to what he believed was a failure to honor his timeout request. He was accessed two technical fouls — together with a second after marching onto the ground to argue — and ejected within the closing seconds of the sport.

“We have timeouts,” Billups mentioned afterward. “Referees often are ready for that, you recognize, that occasion, that scenario. I am at half court docket, making an attempt to name a timeout. It is simply irritating. My guys performed too onerous for that. It is a irritating play.”

In keeping with a pool report interview, crew chief Invoice Kennedy mentioned Billups was not granted a timeout as a result of the referee was targeted on the play in entrance of him, making it “troublesome” for him to listen to and see Billups’ request.

“The referee within the slot place was refereeing the double-team that was proper in entrance of him, which makes it troublesome for, No. 1, to listen to and, No. 2, to see a coach request a timeout behind him,” Kennedy mentioned. “He’s taught to referee the play till completion, which a double dribble occurs, and he accurately calls the double dribble after which pursuant [to that] the technical fouls come ahead.”

The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made one in every of two technical free throws to tie the rating at 109-109, and Jalen Williams hit a shot with 2.1 seconds remaining to safe the victory. Portland dropped to 12-31 with the loss. The Blazers and Thunder play another time this season — March 6 in Portland.

An NBA staff has 48 hours to file a protest with the league workplace and 5 days to supply proof of the protested motion. After that, the league workplace has 5 extra days to decide. A protest prices a staff $10,000 to file and is refunded if profitable.

The NBA has not typically upheld protests in its historical past — solely six instances, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. The final time got here on Dec. 19, 2007, when Miami Warmth heart Shaquille O’Neal was incorrectly dominated to have six fouls when he had solely 5. The sport was resumed on March 8, 2008, however neither staff scored within the 51.9 seconds that was replayed from additional time. The Hawks received 114-111. Earlier than the sport was resumed, O’Neal had been traded to the Phoenix Suns.