NBA denies Hawks' protest of Dec. 30 loss at Cleveland

Put this one in the NBA conspiracy-theory files under “Hawks vs. James, LeBron.”

The NBA on Tuesday denied the Hawks’ protest of their Dec. 30 loss at Cleveland, ruling that a shot-clock error did not have a “clear impact” on the outcome of Cleveland’s 106-101 victory.

The Hawks protested the result after the shot clock failed to reset on a Hawks' defensive rebound with 1:57 to play, leaving about 12 seconds on the shot clock. The Hawks, leading by a point, rushed the ensuing possession once they realized the shot clock did not reset. They turned the ball over, and Cleveland subsequently took the lead.

NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement that the clock error “did not have a clear impact on the game’s outcome and therefore did not justify the extraordinary remedy of granting the protest and overturning the game’s result.”

“From the time we filed our protest, we indicated that we would allow the process to run its course, and today, the commissioner’s office has reached a decision,” Hawks general manager Rick Sund said in a statement released by the team. “We abide by the league’s decision and will have no further comment regarding this matter.”

It’s the second time the Hawks have been on the wrong end of a protest.

Stern ruled that the final 51.9 seconds of a Dec. 19, 2007 game between the Hawks and Heat must be replayed after the official scorer at Philips Arena incorrectly ruled that Shaquille O’Neal had fouled out. The Hawks had won the protested game 117-111 in overtime.

The Hawks also won the replay of the game on March 8, 2008. O’Neal wasn’t in the Heat lineup because he had been traded to Phoenix.

Since the winning side in each protest had superstar players -- Dwyane Wade and O’Neal for the Heat, James for the Cavs -- the decisions are sure to fuel speculation that the league favors its marquee teams.

In overturning the Hawks-Heat result in 2007, Stern fined the Hawks $50,000 and said they were “grossly negligent” in failing to address the scorer's error.

Johnson, Smith banged up

Hawks guard Joe Johnson (right foot) and forward Josh Smith (right Achilles’) both watched practice Tuesday but said they would be ready to play against the Kings on Wednesday night at Philips Arena.

Johnson, who was limping a bit after getting treatment, said his injury is “nothing major.” He has started all 40 games this season.

“I ain’t going to be missing no games,” he said. “We’ve got something special going on here.”

Smith, who also has yet to miss a game, said he believes the bruise was caused by a strap on the back of his shoe rubbing against the Achilles’.

Horford gives to Haiti relief effort

Hawks center Al Horford donated one game’s salary to the “Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti” created by former NBA center Alonzo Mourning. The fund says it is set to distribute $1 million in medical supplies to aid victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Horford is a native of the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti on the island of Hispaniola. He makes about $50,000 per game.