Denver– Houston Rockets Coach Ime Udoka was critical of umpiring in his team 128-125 overtime loss till denver nuggets on Monday night, saying it was “the worst officiated game I’ve seen in a long time.”
It was a tough game, with both teams combining for 59 free throw attempts and Denver had two centers – Nikola Jokic And jonas valanciunas — cheat.
However, the most important call came with 2.3 seconds left in regulation and Denver down 117–116. Before the Nuggets could inbound the ball for the final possession, Amen Thompson Was called for foul after his slide away from the game Tim Hardaway Jr.Houston challenged the call, but it was upheld and the Nuggets point guard became jamal mare Made a free throw to tie the score.
,In general, I think, the worst officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,, Udoka said after the game. ,[Officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls] I have no business there, and [crew chief Zach Zarba] Starstruck was acting. You’re seeing all kinds of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should have gotten some more techniques.”
The few minutes leading up to the call were a very awkward few, with four ties and four lead changes in the final 1:40 of regulation. In overtime, the Nuggets took the lead 124-117 after one spencer jones 3 with 2:59 remaining, but the Rockets got the ball back within three seconds with 13 seconds remaining. alperen sengun Missed a 24-foot 3 with 4.9 seconds remaining, giving Denver a chance to hold on for the win.
According to the Denver Post, Murray said after officiating the game, “I mean, it’s a physical game.” “It’s hard for the refs to make calls on both sides, even deadpans. I think they missed some calls on our end, and they missed some calls on their end, so I don’t think it was an issue tonight.”
Jokic finished with 39 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his NBA-leading 12th triple-double, and Murray added 35 points while going 15 of 14 at the free throw line.
Sengun paced the Rockets for his first triple-double of the season with 33 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Kevin Durant Added 25 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks for Houston, which lost its third consecutive road game.
A Nuggets team that was already missing two starters Aaron Gordon (Hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) played most of the game without starting guard peyton watsonWho left with six minutes left in the first quarter after suffering a right torso injury.
The win gave the Nuggets sole possession of second place in the Western Conference at 19–6. They are four and a half games behind oklahoma city thunder For the No. 1 seed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
