The NBA said Kendrick Perkins' basket with 1:05 left that put the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead to stay in a 107-103 playoff victory Sunday against the Denver Nuggets should have been waved off as basket interference.
In a statement issued Monday, the NBA said Perkins touched the basketball while it was still "in the cylinder," or directly above the basket, in violation of the rules.
The basket put Oklahoma City ahead, 102-101, and Denver didn't score on its next two possessions before losing Game 1.
Rick Adelman is out as coach in Houston. The team announced that the Rockets and Adelman "have mutually agreed to part ways." Adelman's contract expires June 30. Adelman, 64, went 193-135 in four seasons with the Rockets.
Center Dwight Howard is the first player to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award three consecutive seasons. Only Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace, with four each, have won the award more times.
Coach Nate McMillan was fined $35,000 by the NBA for disparaging comments about the officiating in Game 1 of Portland's playoff loss against Dallas
Center Aaron Gray of Pitt isn't certain he will be able to play in New Orleans' next postseason game Wednesday night against the Lakers because of a sprained right ankle.
Guard Jason Williams, 35, will retire after a 12-year career.
First Published: April 19, 2011, 4:00 a.m.