OKLAHOMA CITY — Tempers flared after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-107 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday, with coach JJ Redick sharply criticizing the officiating and guard Austin Reaves accusing a referee of disrespect.
Redick, assessed a technical foul with 1:26 left in the first quarter for arguing with referee Ben Taylor, took aim at what he called lenient treatment of the Thunder’s defense.
“They have a few guys that foul on every possession,” Redick said in his postgame news conference. “You’ve got to call them if they foul, and they do foul.”
The first-year head coach also claimed LeBron James has been shortchanged at the free-throw line. The 21-year veteran averaged 5.3 free throws in the regular season but has attempted only five through the first two games of the series.
“LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen,” Redick added. “He gets hit on the head more than anyone and it rarely gets called.”
James finished with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting and six assists. He declined to elaborate on the officiating, saying only, “We’re down 2-0.”
Reaves confronts crew chief
Frustration boiled over with 5:53 remaining in the fourth quarter when Reaves approached crew chief John Goble at midcourt. The guard said Goble yelled in his face moments after officials changed a loose-ball foul on Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams to a double foul on Williams and Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, resulting in a jump ball instead of Los Angeles possession.
“We’re grown men. I felt like he didn’t need to yell in my face,” Reaves said. “If I had done that to him first, I would have gotten a tech.”
The Thunder controlled the ensuing tip and Cason Wallace drilled a three-pointer to extend the margin to 13; the lead never dipped below 12 the rest of the night. Reaves posted a playoff career-high 31 points.
Free-throw disparity narrow, emotions high
Los Angeles was whistled for 26 fouls to Oklahoma City’s 21. The Thunder attempted 26 free throws; the Lakers shot 21. Forward Rui Hachimura, who scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, said the team must adjust.
“We can’t control the referees,” Hachimura said. “We just have to play through it.”
The best-of-seven series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 with the defending champion Thunder leading 2-0.
Source: ESPN
