Rockets Expected to File Protest to NBA Regarding Missed Call on James Harden Dunk

Tuesday night's Houston Rockets-San Antonio Spurs game was marred by a controversial call that disallowed a James Harden dunk. The decision by on-court officials cost the Rockets two points, resulting in the team's 135-133 overtime loss to the Spurs.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Rockets are likely to file protest on Harden's dunk.

Sources: Rockets likely to file protest over missed call on James Harden's dunk. Houston had been optimistic NBA office would take action without protest but hesitant to risk letting 48-hour deadline pass. https://t.co/xoWqAKXQar
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 5, 2019

Originally, the Rockets were expecting the NBA to take immediate action, but to no avail. With the 48-hour window rapidly approaching, Houston are deciding to protest. It's not that the league isn't taking action, as they are currently investigating, but the proceedings are expected to take longer than the two-day window.

Harden's dunk caused the ball to go through the net, and bounced off the rim with 7:50 remaining in the game. Yet, the referees contended that the ball never went into the net, and thus the two points were not awarded to the Rockets, which would have given them a 103-89 lead. To further add to the frustration, the officials denied head coach Mike D'Antoni's challenge.

The Rockets are hopeful the NBA will either award them the win or order that the final 7:50 of Tuesday's game against the Spurs be replayed at a later date, sources told @espn_macmahon. https://t.co/TZTVldXhTE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 4, 2019

Houston is pushing for them to be awarded the victory, due to them outscoring San Antonio in regulation. If not that, the Rockets want to replay the final 7:50 of regulation on a separate date.

The last time a portion of an NBA game was replayed was back on March 8, 2008 between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.