Doc Rivers believes that the referees called a few too many weak fouls on Blake Griffin during Game 1 of the Clippers’ playoff series with the Golden State Warriors Saturday, which they lost at home 109-105.
Griffin only played 19 minutes before fouling out in the final minute of the game, and he never really got into a rhythm.
Rivers was asked after the game whether he felt the officials were primed to call the series closely because of some of the pre-series talk, such as Klay Thompson saying Griffin is a flopper.
“Do you want me to get fined? Come on, why would you ask me that question?” Rivers responded with a smile and laugh before answering honestly.
“Yeah, I do, I thought all the hype had an impact on how the game was called,” said Rivers. “Lot of tight, touch fouls. I thought three of [Blake’s] six were probably touch fouls. Same thing with CP. But the way I look at it is both teams have to play under the same rules. And they did a better job playing under the same rules that we have to play under.
“I wish there were less calls in that way, yeah.”
So Rivers got to make his point while still saying the game was called fairly. That’s Rivers being masterful.
It’s fine for the Clippers, because the officials just won’t call as many fouls on Griffin in Game 2 which should allow them to tie the series.
