NBA: Raptors to file protest over controversial loss to Kings

Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

The Toronto Raptors believe they were a victim of unjust officiating, and they are letting the league know about it.

The Canada-based franchise is submitting a formal protest against the league’s decision to waive a supposed game-tying basket at the buzzer by Terrence Ross, against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.

The three-pointer was initially counted, but upon further contemplation by the NBA’s Replay Center in New Jersey, the game clock started late, since opposing player DeMarcus Cousins managed to deflect the ball on the inbound pass.

According to the team, the 25-year-old was under the assumption that he had 2.4 seconds to get a shot in. However, the review showed it took him 2.5 seconds, therefore making his basket void.

Did the @Raptors get robbed of a game-tying 3? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/pAmRQKbuDt

— theScore (@theScore) November 21, 2016

Due to the circumstances, the Raptors are filing two protests under two grounds, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

First, the team claims that the Replay Center based its judgment on a frame-by-frame video, which it said did not accurately reflect the human element of a timekeeper starting the clock.

Also, Ross made his move by gauging the in-arena clock. Any accuracies on behalf of management or officials shouldn’t penalize their player, who would have altered his shot knowing the correct time.

As of this writing, the NBA has yet to release a statement regarding the controversial incident.  Khristian Ibarrola