The Houston Rockets are officially protesting Tuesday's 135-133 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, sources told ESPN, emphasizing that James Harden's dunk not being counted as a basket was a misapplication of rules resulting in an incorrect score and not a judgment call by officials.
The deadline to file a protest is 48 hours after a game. Houston had been optimistic in the wake of the loss that the NBA office would take action without a protest being necessary. However, sources said the Rockets filed a protest to ensure that the NBA office will have to make a ruling on its ongoing investigation.