Once again, the Suns were in a familiar situation tied at 103 with the shot clock turned off against the Denver Nuggets. Grant Hill takes it to the rim and Nene Hilario throws his body into Hill while moving and in the restricted area mind you; two free throws and a Suns victory right? Wrong, Dick Bavetta swallows his whistle and allows the game to go to overtime where the Suns were defeated 119-113 by the Nuggets.

What is hard to swallow about the loss is the fact the Suns deserved to win and poor officiating deprived them of a victory. Granted Leandro Barbosa had one of the worst shooting games I have ever seen (1-11from the field). However, without Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill and Steve Nash elevated their play to compensate. Maybe Bavetta was still fatigued from his footrace against Charles Barkley last season and did not have the energy to blow the whistle but that is unlikely, or is it possible that at 69 years old, his senses are deteriorating?