After Toronto Raptors’ tight 132-131 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, head coach Darko Rajaković took a jab at the referees.
The difference in free throw attempts made by the two teams—the Lakers made 36 in the game compared to the Raptors’ 13—infuriated Rajaković.
The Lakers made 23 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, while the Raptors made just two.
“It’s ridiculous,” raged Rajaković. “What happened this evening is really ridiculous. It is shameful. Disgrace to the umpires. It’s a shame the league let this happen. They get twenty-three free throws, and in the fourth quarter, we only get two? For example, how do I play the game?I get that All-Stars should be respected, and all that, but our team also has great players. How is it possible that Scottie Barnes, an All-Star player in this league, only gets two free throws throughout a game despite going to the rim often, forcing himself to get there, and not attempting to draw fouls?
“How is that even possible? How will you explain it to me, please?
Before the current season began, the NBA instituted a flopping penalty in an attempt to discourage players from inflating opponent contact and selling fouls to referees.
With a total of 41 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, Lakers center Anthony Davis made 11 free throws in the fourth quarter alone to help the team win by a slim margin.
“Tonight, they came to win? Please inform us if that is the case so we won’t attend the game,” Rajaković said. Just hand them the victory. However, it was unfair tonight.Moreover, this is not the first time that this has happened to us. Scottie Barnes will be a future All-Star. He will represent this league and everything going on here for the duration of the season, which is total garbage.
Along with Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Austin Reeves, Christian Wood, and D’Angelo Russell, who all scored in double digits, the Lakers also had LeBron James chip in with 22 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds.
After being acquired from the New York Knicks, RJ Barrett has been playing well for the Raptors. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Barnes added 26 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Immanuel Quickley, who was also acquired in the Barrett deal, scored 21 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed another 25 points.
In the meanwhile, Rajaković could anticipate paying a sizable punishment to the NBA for his outburst on Tuesday night.
After the victory, the Raptors are now 15-22 and in 11th place in the East, while the Lakers are now 19-19 and in 10th place in the Western Conference.
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/