Officials missed a number of late calls during Thursday's double-overtime contest between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets, including a crucial mistake that ultimately influenced the final outcome.
The NBA's last-two-minute report confirmed that Heat guard Kyle Lowry's jumper with 2:03 remaining in the first overtime was incorrectly ruled a 3-pointer.
Enhance. pic.twitter.com/zodlmzBmgG
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) February 18, 2022
Since there was no stoppage in play before the two-minute mark, the league's replay center was unable to correct the error.
"Once the ball was inbounded by Charlotte, by rule, the window to review the shot was now closed," crew chief Sean Wright said postgame.
The officiating crew could've halted action but were confident in their decision at the time.
"The crew has to have doubt in order to stop the play," Wright said. "Unfortunately, we did not have doubt at this time, which is the reason we didn't stop the play."
While Lowry's triple gave Miami a 92-91 lead, the Hornets managed to force another overtime period.
There were four more missed calls in the final two minutes of regulation that went the Heat's way, including uncalled goaltending on Bam Adebayo and a pair of missed fouls.
The Heat eventually closed things out for a 111-107 victory.
