The Houston Rockets reportedly think NBA executives could change the result of Tuesday’s double-overtime loss in San Antonio, either by awarding them a victory or ordering the game to be replayed from the moment of James Harden‘s uncounted dunk with 7:50 left in regulation.
The news was repored early Wednesday morning by ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon, citing a source close to the Rockets. Since the game ultimately went to overtime, those two points were very much impactful.
If the NBA league office awards Houston the win, the Rockets would be 14-6 on the season, rather than 13-7. If a replay occurs, the Rockets would have a 15-point lead with under eight minutes left whenever the game is replayed — which would make them substantial favorites.
The officials inexplicably missed the call on the floor, while also denying head coach Mike D’Antoni and the Rockets the opportunity to review it.
Officiating crew chief James Capers said postgame that the call was reviewable, but that the Rockets did not challenge it within the allowed 30-second window. D’Antoni, however, says the officials were unclear in their explanations to him on what the call actually was — and thus, he didn’t immediately know what to challenge.
Since the controversy occurred well after business hours, expect the NBA to discuss the matter internally on Wednesday. For now, the Rockets are flying to Toronto to prepare for Thursday’s game, coming off what seems to be a bitter defeat in San Antonio in which they blew a 22-point lead.
