The Indiana Pacers vented after Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls about the team’s lack of respect from the referees.
The Pacers lost 90-85 to the Bulls despite shooting better from the field by nearly four percent. However, there was a huge free throw disparity between the clubs, as the Bulls attempted 28 free throws and the Pacers just 10.
Both Pacers star Paul George and head coach Nate McMillan made note of that in their postgame comments
Nate McMillan on tonight's referees: “They’ve got to give us more respect, you know?”
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
Nate McMillan on the referees in the context of Paul George: "He’s not getting any – any – calls. I think it’s ridiculous."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
George had an off night going 6-for-14 with 14 points, but he only attempted one free throw. That’s much less than the 4.5 free throws he averages per game.
George, who was drafted by the Pacers in 2010 and is in his seventh season with the team, believes there is a bias from the officials against Indiana.
Paul George on the Pacers' free-throw disparity disadvantage: “Since I’ve been in this uniform, that’s kind of how it’s been."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
More Paul George: "At this point, I feel like that’s just normal. We’re not going to get free throws. We’re not going to get fouls."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
Paul George: "In a game that we play the Bulls, it’s quite surprising that it’s 10 free throws to 28.”
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
Paul George: They know what’s a foul. They know what’s not a foul. It comes down from somewhere else how’s these games are going, I believe.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2016
George may feel like he and the Pacers don’t get enough calls, but they’re actually in a three-way tie with the Rockets and Jazz for 17th in the league in free throws averaged per game. That’s very close to the mean, which somewhat defeats George’s argument. But the man does have a case about Monday night, where the Bulls got nearly three times as many attempts from the charity stripe.
