NBA: Portland Trail Blazers file protest over loss to Oklahoma City Thunder
The Portland Trail Blazers are filing a protest with the NBA to challenge the result of a 111-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
Blazers file protest
The Portland Trail Blazers are taking action following their recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team is filing a protest with the NBA in an effort to challenge the result of the game. The Blazers argue that their coach, Chauncey Billups, was calling for a timeout before a referee blew the whistle for a double dribble on Malcolm Brogdon.
During the game, Billups expressed his frustration at the failure to honor his timeout request and was subsequently ejected. He commented on the situation, saying that his players deserved better and that the play was frustrating for the team.
The crew chief, Bill Kennedy, explained that the referee who was in a key position on the court was focused on the play in front of him and did not hear or see Billups' request. The referee followed procedure and correctly called the double dribble, leading to the technical fouls against Billups.
Protest process and history
The Portland Trail Blazers have 48 hours to file their protest with the NBA league office. They will then have five days to provide evidence of the protested action. The league office will have an additional five days to make a decision. Filing a protest costs the team $10,000.
Protests are not often upheld by the NBA, with only six instances in the league's history. The most recent protest upheld was in 2007 when Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat was ruled to have six fouls instead of five. The game was resumed months later but neither team scored in the remaining seconds, resulting in a win for the Atlanta Hawks.
Implications for the Blazers
The Blazers' protest reflects their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the game and their belief that they were unfairly impacted by the referee's decision. If the protest is successful, it could lead to the game being replayed from the point of the disputed call or a different resolution determined by the league office.
This protest also highlights the importance of accurate officiating and the impact it can have on the outcome of games. The Blazers will await the league's decision and hope for a fair resolution to their complaint.
