Giddey’s OKC suffer controversial NBA loss

Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey has been denied the chance to shoot two free throws to tie the game against the Miami Heat in a controversial non-call that consigned the Thunder to a fourth-straight NBA defeat.

Australian Giddey had another stellar performance with a game-high seven assists and team-high 11 rebounds to go with his 19 points.

With the Heat leading 110-108 in the final four seconds, Giddey had the ball in his hands on the baseline ready to inbound and give the Thunder one last chance to either tie or win the game.

He found back-court partner-in-crime Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was blocked as he attempted a jump shot at a tight angle on the baseline.

The ball bounced off the backboard and into Giddey’s hands but as he attempted a hook shot from under the ring, the 20-year-old appeared to have been pushed in the back by Heat centre Dewayne Dedmon.

Giddey hit the deck and appealed for a foul as the game clock expired.

No call was forthcoming and boos rang out across Paycom Center as the home side fell by two points.

The game marked the 10th time this season the Thunder have lost by less than ten points.

Coach Mark Daigneault was quick to praise Giddey post-match.

“He continues to improve,” he said.

“He’s rebounded the heck out of the ball.

“He just continues to gain a rhythm and is gaining confidence.”

Elsewhere, a left shoulder injury forced Stephen Curry off late in the third quarter of Golden State’s 125-119 loss at the Indiana Pacers.

Curry still led all comers with 38 points despite sitting out the final quarter as the Warriors dropped to 2-13 on the road.

The lowly Orlando Magic continued their resurgence, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 135-124 to claim a fourth-straight win.

Prior to their current run of form, the Magic had been on a nine-game skid.

After playing in three consecutive games from last week, Australian Matthew Dellavedova did not get on the court for Sacramento in a tight 124-123 win over the Toronto Raptors.

The Kings own the longest active playoff drought of any team in the four major American sporting leagues but now sit sixth in the Western Conference standings with a 15-12 record.