The NBA acknowledged Thursday there was an officiating mistake in the final minute of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 112-111 victory Wednesday night over the host Denver Nuggets.
With the Nuggets leading 111-109, a shot by Denver’s Andre Miller appeared to brush the rim and barely beat the shot clock. Teammate Carmelo Anthony got the rebound, but the whistle blew for a shot-clock violation. The officials huddled and ruled it was an inadvertent whistle, resulting in a jump ball.
The Lakers won the tip, leading to Kareem Rush’s winning three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left.
But NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson said there shouldn’t have been a whistle on the play because the ball hit the rim.
“That call was incorrect,” Jackson said. “We very much regret the error.”
Polynice waived
Olden Polynice, 39, who spent all but two games of the season on the injured list because of a neck strain, was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers.
RESULTS, THURSDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Bulls 87 at Washington 95
Complete coverage, Page 3
San Antonio 91 at Dallas 115
Michael Finley shot 10 of 14, including 5 of 7 on 3-pointers, for 30 points as Dallas, with 46-point 3rd quarter, won 4th in row. Spurs’ Tim Duncan missed most of 2nd half (bruised thigh).
Sacramento 103 at L.A. Lakers 101
Mike Bibby made 2 3-pointers in final 90 seconds to cap 31-point night and Peja Stojakovic had 37 for Kings. Kobe Bryant (35 pts) missed open 3-pointer with about 2 seconds left.
