Many in Detroit were rather dissatisfied with how the first half of Monday night’s Pistons-Bucks playoff game was being officiated.
Milwaukee and Detroit were whistled for a combined 28 personal fouls in the first half of the first-round game, but 18 of them went against the Pistons. At halftime, Detroit’s Bruce Brown had already tallied four personal fouls, while four other Pistons — including key starters Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Luke Kennard — had been whistled for three. In contrast, no Bucks player went to the locker room with more than two fouls. As a result, Milwaukee had attempted 15 more free throws than Detroit had at the half.
Whether warranted or not, a one-sided free throw margin like that is going to attract the attention of the home fans, who struck up a “ref you suck” chant late in the half. Hilariously, Griffin subtly joined them.
Blake Griffin joining in on the “ref you suck” chant #pistons #bucks pic.twitter.com/NQ1ew2HSEZ
— Evan Jankens (@KINGoftheKC) April 23, 2019
Griffin would’ve almost certainly gotten away with it if not for the close-up camera shot. We’ll see if the NBA takes any action in what has become a pretty rough postseason for referees across the league.
