Within the NBA’s Western Convention, the place simply three video games separate the No. 4 and No. 12 seeds, each recreation counts.
For the Dallas Mavericks — and group governor Mark Cuban — make that each bucket.
The Mavs fell to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night time 127-125 in a recreation that pushed Dallas into the No. 9 seed, tied with the Los Angeles Lakers and only a half-game forward of fellow play-in contenders the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans.
However the Mavs will file a protest of the loss, Cuban instructed ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Wednesday night time, after what the group believes to be an officiating error late within the third quarter, when confusion about which group had possession of the ball led to an uncontested dunk by Warriors middle Kevon Looney.
Regardless of Cuban deeming it the “worst officiating non call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA,” historical past is just not on Dallas’ facet in the case of profitable protests. It has occurred solely six occasions in NBA historical past, and solely as soon as prior to now 41 years.
MORE: What’s subsequent for the Mavericks’ protest?
Nov. 28, 1952: Milwaukee Hawks vs. Philadelphia Warriors
The Hawks had solely 4 eligible gamers left because of disqualifications however have been incorrectly allowed to herald a fifth participant. They gained the sport 78-77 in double time beyond regulation.
The protest resulted within the recreation being utterly replayed on March 11, 1953, in Pittsburgh. The Warriors gained 72-69 … in time beyond regulation.
Famously often known as the Phantom Buzzer Sport, a tip-in on the buzzer was not counted after the officers disagreed on whether or not the buzzer sounded earlier than the sphere purpose occurred.
The sport was restarted with one second left and the sport tied at 124. The Hawks went on to win by 5 factors in time beyond regulation.
2:33
Breaking down the Mavs’ protest of recreation vs. Warriors
Malika Andrews and the NBA crew break down a weird sequence the place the Mavs do not play protection vs. the Warriors, leading to two factors in a recreation Dallas loses 127-125.
The final 4 seconds of this recreation have been replayed on Feb. 1, 1972, after the Cavaliers efficiently protested they didn’t obtain the total good thing about a timeout.
The results of the sport remained the identical, with the Braves successful by one level.
Referee Richie Powers known as three technical fouls on Nets head coach Kevin Loughery, exceeding the restrict of two.
The ultimate 17:50 of the sport — which additionally featured Bernard King, Phil Jackson and Julius Erving — was replayed on March 23, 1979.
Right here comes the enjoyable half: These groups truly made a commerce with one another between the unique recreation and the replay. Due to this, Eric Cash, Harvey Catchings and Ralph Simpson ended up enjoying for each the Nets and 76ers — the one gamers in NBA historical past to hit the court for both teams in the same game, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.
Nov. 30, 1982: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
A double lane violation was known as after Norm Nixon did not launch the ball on a free throw try, leading to a bounce ball. It ought to have been a non-call, and Nixon ought to have tried the free throw. The Lakers gained the bounce ball, tied the sport and gained in double time beyond regulation.
The sport was resumed on April 13, 1983, with the Spurs main 116-114 with three seconds left and Nixon making an attempt the free throw. San Antonio gained the sport by three factors.
Dec. 19, 2007: Miami Warmth vs. Atlanta Hawks
Shaquille O’Neal was incorrectly dominated to have six fouls when he had solely 5. The sport was resumed on March 8, 2008, however nobody scored within the 51.9 seconds that have been replayed from time beyond regulation.
The Hawks gained 114-111, and O’Neal did not play — he was traded to the Suns earlier than the sport was resumed.