Hornets coach: NBA admission on missed call validates first look at Saturday night non-call
By Richard Walker
The NBA admitted on Sunday that a foul should’ve been called on Terry Rozier’s potential game-tying 3-point attempt with 0.4 seconds left in Saturday’s 116-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Tampa.
“I’m trying,” Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego said by zoom news conference following Monday’s practice. “I’m frustrated. I said it after the game I thought he got fouled. Obviously, the league recognized it. It does nothing for us. I’ve got to move on. It won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last time.
“This has happened to us before. I’m not sure this will be the last time. It is what it is.”
Rozier’s misfire came from the right wing as Charlotte was trying to rally from as much as a 13-point deficit.
Trailing 104-99 with 5:16 to play, Charlotte tied the score at 110 on Rozier’s 3-pointer with 53.7 seconds left.
Devonte’ Graham later hit a 3-pointer 7.5 seconds left to pull the Hornets within 114-113. After Chris Boucher hit two free throws for the final margin with 3.4 seconds left, a Charlotte timeout set up Rozier’s potential tying shot.
Had the foul been called, Rozier would’ve had three free throws that could’ve forced overtime for the 6-8 Hornets.
“It’s unfortunate,” Borrego said. “It’s disappointing. But there’s things that we could’ve controlled to put ourselves in a better position. That’s all I can focus on. What do I control? I don’t control the officials. Obviously, that call should’ve made. It’s unfortunate but I’ve got to move on.
“It (the NBA’s admission of error) validates what I thought I saw.”
The Hornets practice again Tuesday before playing seven games in the 11 days, including five at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. The busy schedule starts with Wednesday’s 7 p.m. home game against the Washington Wizards.
Hornets 2020-21 schedule, results, upcoming game times
DECEMBER
Wed. 23 at Cleveland L 114-121
Sat. 26 OKLAHOMA CITY L 107-109
Sun. 27 BROOKLYN W 106-104
Wed. 30 at Dallas W 118-99
JANUARY
Fri. 1 MEMPHIS L 93-108
Sat. 2 at Philadelphia L 112-127
Mon. 4 at Philadelphia L 102-118
Wed. 6 at Atlanta W 102-94
Fri. 8 at New Orleans W 118-110
Sat. 9 ATLANTA W 113-105
Mon. 11 NEW YORK W 109-88
Wed. 13 DALLAS L 93-104
Thu. 14 at Toronto* L 108-111
Sat. 16 at Toronto* L 113-116
Wed. 20 WASHINGTON 7:00
Fri. 22 CHICAGO 7:00
Sun. 24 at Orlando 6:00
Mon. 25 at Orlando 7:00
Wed. 27 INDIANA 7:00
Fri. 29 INDIANA 7:00
Sat. 30 MILWAUKEE 7:00
FEBRUARY
Mon. 1 at Miami 7:30
Wed. 3 PHILADELPHIA 7:00
Fri. 5 UTAH 7:00
Sun. 7 PORTLAND 1:00
Mon. 8 HOUSTON 7:00 NBATV
Wed. 10 at Memphis 8:00
Fri. 12 MINNESOTA 7:00
Sun. 14 SAN ANTONIO 7:00
Wed. 17 CHICAGO 7:00
Fri. 19 DENVER 7:00
Sat. 20 GOLDEN STATE 7:00
Mon. 22 at Utah 9:00
Wed. 24 at Phoenix 9:00
Fri. 26 at Golden State 10:00
Sun. 28 at Sacramento 9:00
MARCH
Mon. 1 at Portland 10:30
Wed. 3 at Minnesota 8:00
* At Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL
Home games in CAPS
The NBA will schedule the 2nd of the season at a later date