The Pool Report interview was conducted by Fred Katz (The Athletic) with Crew Chief Ed Malloy following tonight’s Knicks at Rockets game.     

QUESTION:  Why was there a shooting foul called on Jalen Brunson against Aaron Holiday on the Rockets’ final possession of the game?

MALLOY: In live action it was felt that the lower body contact was illegal contact.

QUESTION: After seeing the replay, do officials believe it was the correct call?

MALLOY:  After seeing it during postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor. The contact which occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.

QUESTION: Why were the Rockets able to challenge the foul at the end of the first half, which was eventually ruled an offensive foul on Donte DiVincenzo, when the second quarter was deemed over? The Rockets never inbounded the ball after the challenge.

MALLOY: Houston was allowed to challenge the defensive foul because DiVincenzo released the ball prior to the game clock expiring. Therefore, we were able to penalize the unnatural leg extension by DiVincenzo and the period was over.

QUESTION:  So, they don’t need to actually inbound the ball?

MALLOY: That’s correct.