Grizzlies’ Game Protest Could Bring Closer Look at Referee Whistle Sensors

In response to the protest filed by the Vancouver Grizzlies, the Lakers will contend that while their game clock hesitated with six-tenths of a second remaining in Monday’s overtime period, the malfunction did not change the outcome of game, which the Lakers won by a point.

The club must submit its case to the NBA by Monday.

Whether the league denies or upholds the Grizzlies’ protest, the event could bring a closer examination of referees’ whistle sensors, which the Lakers believe could have caused the unintended clock stoppage. A recent test of a referee’s sensor-equipped whistle at Staples Center revealed it was so sensitive a heavy enough breath was enough to disrupt the clock. It is unclear, however, how the clocks would then reengage.

A frame-by-frame review of the Lakers’ 113-112 victory showed a similar malfunction with 1:26 to play in the third quarter. Just as at the end of overtime, the clock froze for about three-tenths of a second.

Of greater interest to the Lakers is the immediate issue of securing Monday’s victory, which came when Shaquille O’Neal was fouled beneath the basket with four-tenths of a second left. His put-back field goal was awarded by the rule of continuation.

“It’s clear that occurred,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. “The next question, did it affect the outcome of the game.”

Kupchak believes the league will allow the victory to stand, seeing as the delay was counted at three-tenths of a second--or eight frames on videotape--and the foul was called at four-tenths of a second. With no delay, then, there should still have been one-tenth of a second remaining.

The league could also order a replay of the end of the game. The Grizzlies are not scheduled to return to Los Angeles.

Conceivably, it also could count the foul but not the continuation, which would put O’Neal at the free-throw line with that one-tenth of a second to play and the Lakers trailing, 112-111.

That, according to Kupchak, would be unlikely.

“Historically,” he said, “the league has not overturned judgment calls.”

Or, the league could decide time should have run out before the foul and the shot, granting Vancouver the victory, putting the Lakers that much further from their goal of home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

“I refuse to comment on it,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said. “It’s not up to me. That has to be a league thing.”

The system of sensors tied to the referees and the clock began last season, and most agree it is better than the former method of timekeepers trying to keep up with the whistles. Now, the timekeepers and 24-second clock operators serve as that system’s backup.

“I don’t think you’ll ever have a perfect situation,” Kupchak said. “But, in my opinion, it’s certainly better than it was two years ago.”

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Jackson’s next coaching victory will be his 639th, moving him out of a tie with Chuck Daly and alone into 14th place on the all-time list.

He said he is not chasing a particular victory milestone, or a particular coach. When it would end, Jackson said, smiling, “Who knows? Maybe another championship.”

Only one?

“Yeah,” he said, laughing.

TODAY

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* Records: Lakers 26-12, Heat 24-18.

* Record vs. Heat: 1-0.

* Update: The Lakers defeated the Heat, 81-79, at Miami on Dec. 19, when Shaquille O’Neal blocked a late, point-blank shot by Brian Grant. The Lakers have won four in a row in the series. Seemingly gaining its legs without center Alonzo Mourning, the Heat has won three of four and moved to within three games of the second-place New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division. It has won 11 of 16 since losing to the Lakers.

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