The NBA has denied the Mavericks' protest of their 116-108 overtime loss to the Rockets last month.

The Mavericks argued that the referees had improperly called a technical foul on center Erick Dampier following an instant replay review with 1 minute, 1 second left in overtime of the Dec. 18 game. Because it was Dampier's second technical foul, he was ejected.

Commissioner David Stern, however, ruled Tuesday that the decision to give Dampier a technical was a judgment call.

"That's what I expected," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "But if the same thing happens, I'll protest it again."

• The Heat traded point guard Chris Quinn to the Nets for a second-round pick in 2012, a move that could be a precursor to Rafer Alston's return to Miami. Alston agreed to a buyout agreement with the Nets earlier in the day. ... The 76ers guaranteed guard Allen Iverson's contract for the rest of the season one day before the deadline to guarantee the remainder of his prorated one-year contract worth $1.3 million. ... Cleveland's Jamario Moon is expected to miss at least three weeks with a left abdominal strain.

AP