Why Heat couldn't challenge shot clock violation call in Game 2 loss vs. Knicks

Jordan Greer

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Why Heat couldn't challenge shot clock violation call in Game 2 loss vs. Knicks image

The Heat are going to have one big question for the crew that officiated their Game 2 loss to the Knicks on Tuesday night.

With just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the Eastern Conference Semifinal contest, Miami was looking to trim New York's three-point lead. The Heat ran a key offensive possession all the way down to the final second of the shot clock, and Caleb Martin's 3-pointer didn't touch the rim, resulting in a turnover.

MORE: Jalen Brunson's 3-point celebration, explained

Just one small problem: The TNT broadcast showed a replay angle in which the ball actually does appear to hit the front of the rim and change direction.

If the referees had allowed the possession to play out, Gabe Vincent's rebound and putback would have cut the deficit to one point.

Miami ended up losing to New York by a final score of 111-105, evening the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Why Heat couldn't challenge shot clock violation call

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra couldn't challenge the call because NBA coaches can only force referees to review specific types of plays.

Here is the relevant section from the league's rulebook:

A team may utilize a Challenge to trigger instant replay review of only the following three events: (1) a called personal foul charged to its own team, (2) a called out-of-bounds violation, or (3) a called goaltending or basket interference violation.

"I saw the ball, like, just change course or direction from my vantage point, but I get it," Spoelstra said during his postgame media availability. "This game is not an easy game to officiate. It just looked like it took a different course. ... That's an important play, but the officials didn't have anything to do with this. We had enough plays to make on our own.

"Certainly, some of these scrums, get a couple of these calls that go the other way, that can make a difference. But also, putting your imprint on the game, taking matters into your own hands, that can also change the course of the result."

Knicks vs. Heat schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between New York and Miami:

Date Game Time (ET) TV channel
April 30 Heat 108, Knicks 101 1 p.m. ABC
May 2 Knicks 111, Heat 105 7:30 p.m. TNT
May 6 Game 3 3:30 p.m. ABC
May 8 Game 4 7:30 p.m. TNT
May 10 Game 5 TBD TNT
May 12 Game 6* TBD ESPN
May 15 Game 7* 8 p.m. TNT

*If necessary

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Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.