The New Orleans Pelicans nearly snapped their 12-game losing streak on Tuesday before falling in overtime to the Brooklyn Nets, 108-101. However, the game could have ended in regulation if not for an egregious error from the referees.
Late in regulation, the game clock and shot clock were separated by only a few seconds. Spencer Dinwiddie hoisted a long three-pointer that only hit the backboard as the shot clock expired. Amid confusion on the court, Lonzo Ball corralled the rebound and threw an outlet pass to Josh Hart whose shot did not beat the buzzer.
However, upon replay, it was clear that the ball had not touched the rim and the Pelicans, who had a timeout, should have had possession of the ball at midcourt with a handful of seconds remaining and a chance to win the game.
Here is a video of the sequence:
The refs ruled the ball hit the rim, there was no shot clock violation and that the play wasn’t reviewable. After the game, Alvin Gentry pointed out that he and his staff argued their point with the officials to no avail.
On Wednesday, the Last 2 Minute report confirmed what everyone else knew, calling the missed call an incorrect non-call with the following explanation:
Dinwiddie’s (BKN) shot attempt does not make contact with the rim, and a 24 second violation should have been called.
For a team mired in a now 13-game losing streak following the loss, it’s a particularly frustrating and stinging loss following a night when the team actually executed down the stretch.
