by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings have filed an official protest with the NBA over the team’s loss to Memphis last Thursday night. The Kings lost the game 111 – 110 on lay-up made by the Grizzlies’ Courtney Lee with 0.3 seconds left in the game.

The play was reviewed at courtside by the officiating crew because it appeared that Vince Carter’s inbound lob to Lee was tipped by the defender. If the ball was tipped, the clock should have started immediately and time would have expired before the lay-up could have been made by Lee. The referees ruled the ball was not tipped and upheld the Memphis victory.

The Kings are contending the shot was made after time had expired.

Under the protest procedure, both Memphis and Sacramento will have the opportunity to submit evidence to the league in support of their position. The decision on the protest should be rendered by December 2.