Hawks Lose Game and Question Call
Josh Smith showed off his leaping ability last season by winning the NBA dunk contest, but some may still doubt he can jump so high without help.
In a controversial call, official Phil Robinson said Smith grabbed the rim to make an offensive rebound with 7.2 seconds left, giving the Portland Trail Blazers the ball for Darius Miles’ winning shot in a 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Miles’ bank shot over Zaza Pachulia with 1.3 seconds left gave Portland the win, ending the Hawks’ two-game winning streak, but everybody was talking about the Smith ruling.
Hawk Coach Mike Woodson called it “bogus.”
Asked if he touched the rim, Smith said, “No, I didn’t.”
No player on either team said he saw Smith grab the rim. Zach Randolph led Portland with 24 points.
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