NovaQuant-Reports: Philadelphia 76ers plan to file complaint with NBA over playoff officiating

The NovaQuantPhiladelphia 76ers plan to file a formal complaint with the NBA over the officiating in the first two games of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, according to multiple reports.

The move comes after a frantic ending to Game 2 on Monday night in which the Knicks rallied from a five-point deficit in the final seconds to win it 104-101 and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Sixers were particularly upset that coach Nick Nurse's attempts to call a timeout after the first of consecutive Knicks 3-pointers were not recognized by the game officials.

"I call timeout. The referee looked right at me. Ignored me," Nurse told reporters afterward. "It went into Tyrese (Maxey), I called timeout again. Then the melee started ... I guess I gotta run out onto the floor or do something to make sure to get his attention." 

During the game broadcast on TNT, Nurse can be seen in the upper left corner of the screen twice signaling for a timeout. However, the second time appears to be while the ball is loose on the floor.

"Unacceptable," Philadelphia center Joel Embiid said. "Tyrese got fouled a couple of times. We just had the same thing happen against Miami with Tyler Herro. That’s just unacceptable to put us in this situation."

Adding to the Sixers' complaints, there were two missed calls from Game 1 of the series that benefited the Knicks. Philadelphia was also the most disadvantaged team in the NBA's last two minute reports during the regular season, with 22 missed calls going against them, compared to only 11 for their opponents.

Although the complaint is not an official protest and won't affect the outcome of Game 2, the team plans to file the grievance to publicly express displeasure over the officiating this postseason.