Sometimes the most exciting play in basketball is a game-saving block. Perhaps LeBron James’ chase-down block on Andre Iguodala in the 2016 NBA Finals rings a bell.

Often those plays are inches away from being goaltending, however.

What’s remembered as a heroic play in the closing moments could have easily been different if the defender was just milliseconds late. Likewise, basket interferences can be game-changing calls, especially late in the contest. It keeps the offense from gaining an unfair advantage, as does goaltending with the defense.

The Sporting News breaks down the goaltending and basket interference rules below.

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(Per the NBA’s official 2023-24 rulebook)

The NBA goaltending rules pertain to defenders. There are a handful of rules that explain the different scenarios in which a referee can enact a goaltending call.

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Offensive interference rules are the offense’s equivalent to goaltending — the same rules apply.

An offensive player cannot affect a live field goal that has the chance to score.