The Indiana Pacers are staring down a 2-0 deficit in the second round of the Playoffs after losing Game 2 to the New York Knicks last night. The game has become controversial due to referee decisions that the Pacers believe went against them. Fans have already shared multiple clips of blatant fouls that went uncalled against Indiana.
One clip shows Aaron Nesmith get clobbered by Isaiah Hartenstein on a drive, with the Knicks center grabbing Nesmith’s jersey and making contact with his hand, all for a no-call.
This isn’t a foul? What is going on? Am I the only one seeing this? pic.twitter.com/T9LyhKfkaj
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) May 9, 2024
Another clip shows Josh Hart blatantly shoving Tyrese Haliburton in the back while he dribbles up the court, which was also left uncalled, a play that Pacers coach Rick Carlisle also criticized after the game.
Two hand shove to the back on a fast break and no whistle. Hilarious pic.twitter.com/ZvyOfsguUX
— Young Simba (@the2kmessiah) May 9, 2024
When the referees did blow their whistle, it was seen to be for ticky-tack calls on the Pacers, like when Myles Turner was called for an illegal screen as Jalen Brunson exaggerated contact and fell.
What on earth was this call? pic.twitter.com/OUv2u9u2UN
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) May 9, 2024
The Knicks have outshot the Pacers from the line in both Games 1 and 2, currently holding a 48-36 lead in free throws over the Pacers. While it’s not like the Pacers aren’t getting calls, the generally amped intensity of the Knicks’ defense is causing the referees to bite their whistles far more often.
The officiating standard in the Playoffs is very unclear. We’ve seen extremely physical series like the ones between the Clippers and Mavericks or the ongoing Timberwolves and Nuggets series. But at the same time, we saw the Thunder shoot 22 free throws in a half on some wishy-washy calls in Game 1 of their second-round series.
The Knicks have felt aggrieved by the referees in the first round against the 76ers, so this is a frustration that teams around the NBA can share for the Playoffs.
Rick Carlisle Blasts Officials And Claims There’s A Big-Market Bias For The Knicks
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle went off on a lengthy tirade against the officiating in Game 2, saying that they felt aggrieved after Game 1 and put together 29 clips of bad refereeing but chose not to submit them.
“After Game 1… It felt like the whistles weren’t balanced… There were 29 plays in Game 1 that we felt were clearly called the wrong way. I decided not to submit them because I felt like we’d get a more balanced whistle tonight. It didn’t feel that way…
Carlisle confirmed they’ll be submitting the Game 2 plays to the league office to hope for a better whistle in future games.
“I can promise you we’re gonna submit these tonight. New York can get ready, they’ll see them too. I’m always talking to the guys about not making it about the officials but we deserve a fair shot. There isn’t a consistent balance and that’s disappointing.”
The 2011 champion also pleaded for small-market teams to be given a chance to win.
“Give New York credit for the physicality they play with but their physicality is rewarded & ours is penalized time after time… Small market teams deserve an equal shot.”
"Game 1…29 plays…clearly called wrong way…Didn't submit…[Tonight] Haliburton's got bad back & Hart comes up & shoves him…all over Twitter…no whistle…shocking. Many others; I can promise you we're gonna submit these tonight. New York can get ready…Their physicality is… pic.twitter.com/poHTbw6tOi
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 9, 2024
Carlisle’s take is one that many fans share, but it’s not one that Tyrese Haliburton shares. The Pacers point guard took accountability for the team’s poor play for the loss instead of focusing on blaming the officials.
“We got outplayed. We were right there to win the game. Would I like more consistency (officiating)? Yes. But let’s not pretend that was the only reason we lost tonight. We just didn’t play good enough.”
"They outplayed us. Let's not pretend like the refs are the reason we lost. We just got to be better"
Haliburton after Game 2 vs. Knicks pic.twitter.com/zxuGZHj2K1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2024
Haliburton had a very poor game, putting up just six points and eight assists in 36 minutes of action. He’s averaging 17.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in his debut playoff run, so he’d likely face a lot of criticism if he sat up and criticized the officiating. If he was a more consistent scorer, the Pacers might not have been in that position to begin with. He was benched late in the game for T.J. McConnell.
The public outcry against the referees will likely lead to a more balanced whistle in Game 3, especially with it being played in Indiana. But this is the topmost professional basketball league in the world and it shouldn’t have to come to teams sending in nearly 30 plays of missed calls to the league office to get better refereeing.
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