TITLE: Lakers voice frustration with officiating after 125-107 Game 2 loss in Oklahoma City
SLUG: lakers-voice-frustration-with-officiating-after-game-2-loss
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers left Paycom Center on Thursday night trailing the second-round series 0-2 and questioning how Game 2 was called in a 125-107 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Several Lakers players remained near midcourt following the final horn to speak with the officiating crew. Guard Austin Reaves said one official crossed a line during a jump-ball sequence.
“At the end of the day, we’re grown men and I just didn’t feel like he needed to yell in my face like that,” Reaves told reporters. “I told him that. I wasn’t disrespectful. I told him if I did that to him first, I would’ve gotten a tech. I feel like the only reason I didn’t get a tech was because he knew he was in the wrong. I felt disrespected.”
Big man Jaxson Hayes and guard Marcus Smart each finished with five fouls, adding to the team’s irritation. Los Angeles shot 21 free throws; Oklahoma City attempted 26.
Head coach JJ Redick questioned how superstar LeBron James is being officiated and said the Thunder “don’t need any help” from the whistle.
The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena for Game 3 on Saturday needing a win to avoid a 0-3 hole. Officiating concerns are one of several issues the club will address before the series resumes.
Source: Hoops Wire
