There is an old saying that desperate times call for desperate measures.

Being down 3-0 and facing elimination in a Playoff series surely fits under this category - like the New York Knicks - and the actions of their GM Isiah Thomas certainly reflect despiration.

Thomas was hoping that the league would rule to replay the last one minute and fifty seconds of Game 3 after the clock stopped during two seperate New Jersey possessions in the final 1:50 of play.  New York ended up losing the game by three points.

"Jersey had two opportunities to extend their offensive possessions," Thomas said. "We contend it hurt us at two crucial times of the game. This is not about the officials' judgement. You're allowed 24 seconds to complete an offensive play. We think New Jersey was given more than 24 seconds to complete those two offensive plays."

The extra time added to a total of fourteen seconds.  

During one of the plays Kenyon Martin drove to the basket and was fouled.  Martin missed both free throws and the Knicks got the rebound.

The second play saw Martin drive to the hoop, get fouled by Kurt Thomas and make the basket.  Martin then hit the free throw, completing a three point play.  The shot clock stopped with 11 seconds left and remained still for six seconds, so Martin would have gotten the shot off anyway.

An NBA statement read: "Although review of the game video shows there were two clock malfunctions, neither of the timing errors had a detrimental impact on the outcome of the game for the Knicks."

Thomas claimed that with the shot clock about to expire Martin would have been under additional pressure, hurrying the shot.

"We believe it would've been more of a rushed shot," Isiah Thomas said. "Traditionally, players have an internal clock in their head. He would've had a totally different preparation for his shot."

Thomas knew the protest was a longshot, saying, "We will live with the decision."