The Blazers and their coach, Chauncey Billups, have an issue with the league and its officials.
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After losing by 62 points to Oklahoma City earlier this month, the Portland Trail Blazers hung with the Western Conference-leading Thunder until the final seconds last night when a lob from Malcolm Brogdon to Deandre Ayton was picked off, giving OKC a 111-109 win.
Given what happened in the moments leading up to that final play, though, it appears Portland isn’t going quietly into the night.
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Trail Blazers protesting loss to Thunder after timeout fiasco
With 15.1 seconds left and Portland leading 109-108, Brogdon was trapped just past the half-court line in front of the scorer’s table. Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups yelled for a timeout, but it wasn’t granted by the officials.
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Brogdon was instead called for a double dribble, and an irate Billups ran onto the floor questioning why his timeout wasn’t given. He received two technical fouls and was ejected.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit 1 of the 2 ensuing free throws to tie the game before Jalen Williams sunk a game-winning jumper with 2.1 seconds left.
“We’ve got timeouts. 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.”
The game’s crew chief, Bill Kennedy, explained that Billups’ timeout wasn’t granted because the official in question was focused on Brogdon:
“The referee in the slot position was refereeing the double-team that was right in front of him, which makes it difficult for, No. 1, to hear and, No. 2, to see a coach request a timeout behind him. He is taught to referee the play until completion, which a double dribble happens, and he correctly calls the double dribble and then pursuant [to that] the technical fouls come forward.”
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