NBA rule question: start of Bulls-Heat game

[Senser81]

One of the first plays of had Miami inbounding the ball, the Bulls stealing the inbound pass, and then a few seconds later Ronnie Garretson blowing his whistle. Ignoring the obvious "delayed call" nonsense, I'm still not sure what exactly was called. The announcers said that the ball hit Garretson on the inbounds pass, so Garretson blew his whistle and essentially called a "dead ball". But, I thought the refs were in play, like if a pass on the court deflects off the ref to an opposing player, the play continues. The ref doesn't blow the play dead.

Does anyone know the rule?

[FirstTimer]

One of the first plays of had Miami inbounding the ball, the Bulls stealing the inbound pass, and then a few seconds later Ronnie Garretson blowing his whistle. Ignoring the obvious "delayed call" nonsense, I'm still not sure what exactly was called. The announcers said that the ball hit Garretson on the inbounds pass, so Garretson blew his whistle and essentially called a "dead ball". But, I thought the refs were in play, like if a pass on the court deflects off the ref to an opposing player, the play continues. The ref doesn't blow the play dead.

Does anyone know the rule?

I don't have access to the rule book but I think the ball technically isn't "in play" until it's officially inbounded and the clock starts, therefore until that time the ball can't hit the official and be in play. I could be 100% wrong on this.

I also had a question in regards to the opening tip. Shouldn't it have been a re-jump? There was no posession of the ball by either team (the ball went out off of Rose but they ruled that since the Bulls did not have possession of it that the Heat still got the ball to start the 4th) if there was no possession by either team then wouldn't it had to have been a re-jump?

[manchild24]

I don't have access to the rule book but I think the ball technically isn't "in play" until it's officially inbounded and the clock starts, therefore until that time the ball can't hit the official and be in play. I could be 100% wrong on this.

I also had a question in regards to the opening tip. Shouldn't it have been a re-jump? There was no posession of the ball by either team (the ball went out off of Rose but they ruled that since the Bulls did not have possession of it that the Heat still got the ball to start the 4th) if there was no possession by either team then wouldn't it had to have been a re-jump?

I thought there were like three fouls called in the first 13 seconds of the game. Everytime I turned around in the kitchen there was a dead ball and still 11:47 on the clock.

No Idea on Sensor's question. I still didnt see who hit the ball in the replay. thought they were trying to bend the Bulls over early.

FirstTimer-i read the rules and I didnt see anything about why they didnt rejump it.

Section V-Jump Balls in Center Circle
a. The ball shall be put into play in the center circle by a jump ball between any two opponents:
(1) At the start of the game
(2) At the start of each overtime period
(3) A double free throw violation
(4) Double foul during a loose ball situation
(5) The ball becomes dead when neither team is in control and no field goal or infraction is involved
(6) The ball comes to rest on the basket flange or becomes lodged between the basket ring and the backboard
(7) A double foul which occurs as a result of a difference in opinion between officials
(8) A suspension of play occurs during a loose ball
(9) A fighting foul occurs during a loose ball situation
b. In all cases above, the jump ball shall be between any two opponents in the game at that time. If injury, ejection or disqualification makes it necessary for any player to be replaced, his substitute may not participate in the jump ball.
Section VI-Other Jump Balls
a. The ball shall be put into play by a jump ball at the circle which is closest to the spot where:
(1) A held ball occurs
(2) A ball out-of-bounds caused by both teams
(3) An official is in doubt as to who last touched the ball
b. The jump ball shall be between the two involved players unless injury or ejection precludes one of the jumpers from participation. If the injured or ejected player must leave the game, the coach of the opposing team shall select from his opponent's bench a player who will replace the injured or ejected player. The injured player will not be permitted to re-enter the game.
Section VII-Restrictions Governing Jump Balls
a. Each jumper must have at least one foot on or inside that half of the jumping circle which is farthest from his own basket. Each jumper must have both feet with-in the restraining circle.
b. The ball must be tapped by one or both of the players participating in the jump ball after it reaches its highest point. If the ball falls to the floor without being tapped by at least one of the jumpers, the official off the ball shall whistle the ball dead and signal another toss.
c. Neither jumper may tap the tossed ball before it reaches its highest point.
d. Neither jumper may leave his half of the jumping circle until the ball has been tapped.
e. Neither jumper may catch the tossed or tapped ball until it touches one of the eight non-jumpers, the floor, the basket or the backboard.
f. Neither jumper is permitted to tap the ball more than twice on any jump ball.
g. The eight non-jumpers will remain outside the restraining circle until the ball has been tapped. Teammates may not occupy adjacent positions around the restraining circle if an opponent desires one of the positions. No player may position himself immediately behind an opponent on the restraining circle. Penalty for c., d., e., f., g.: Ball awarded out-of-bounds to the opponent.
h. Player position on the restraining circle is determined by the direction of a player's basket. The player whose basket is nearest shall have first choice of position, with position being alternated thereafter.