Devin Booker was on the court last night and trying to ensure his Phoenix Suns could continue a 2-year-long winning streak over the Los Angeles Lakers.
That didn’t end up happening, as the Lakers beat the Suns on the night. Free throws were a major talking point after the game, given the Lakers received 46 of them. Booker threw a shot at the referees after the game.
“After the game is controlled in the first half and we’re down 20 to 30 free throws, it’s kind of easier for them to give us some after that. Like Chris said, I watch these games every night, so I kind of understand what’s going on. I understand the agendas that are being pushed, and trying to just get that out of my head and go out there and compete.” (h/t ESPN)
The league definitely wants the Lakers in the playoffs but outwardly giving them soft free throws is not the right way to do so. Referees have cost the Lakers games this season, but ever since the no-call against LeBron James in their loss to the Celtics, the referees have been more lenient with the Lakers.
Are The Lakers Playoff Locks?
The Lakers still are under .500 and have to battle their way through the play-in tournament, but people are mostly convinced that they will find their way into the playoffs. They are not far removed from the 6th seed, sitting just 1.5 games behind that spot.
LeBron James is expected to return at the end of the regular season, with people optimistic that he will play their final 3 games. One of those games is a massive battle against their rivals, the LA Clippers. Otherwise, it’s a relatively simple schedule with the Oklahoma City Thunder as their hardest opponent. James has since denied this report.
With the Lakers leading the league in free throw differential by a big margin, it seems the calls may stay going in their favor for the last 2 weeks of the season. If they still fail to make the playoffs, it can’t be blamed on referees like they blamed their loss to the Celtics on referees earlier this season.
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