In a high-profile NBA regular season game today, the Los Angeles Lakers lost by 10 points at the home of the Phoenix Suns. However, it was not the outcome of the game that sparked widespread discussion after the game, but the huge disparity in the number of free throws between the two sides.
The Lakers were resilient in tonight's game, coming back from a whopping 17-point deficit in the first quarter, closing the deficit to single digits before halftime and again in the first three quarters to close the deficit to the Suns. However, at key moments in the game, the disparity in the number of free throws began to show. The Suns made 19 more free throws in the game, compared to the Lakers' measly eight. Such a comparison of free throws not only shocked Lakers fans, but also made many fans question the fairness of the game.
Free throws are a very controversial and crucial part of the game of basketball. On the one hand, free throws are seen as a reflection of a player's individual technical ability and an important way to score points. On the other hand, the number of free throws is often affected by the referee's penalty scale, so it is easy to be regarded by the outside world as evidence that the referee is biased in favor of one side or the other. Harden, the foul master of the year, averaged nearly 10 free throws per game, and the Lakers have also been a well-known free throw team in recent seasons, and currently have hundreds more free throws than the second place.
In tonight's game, the Lakers' core players were repeatedly defended by Suns players on the offensive end, but they rarely got the referee's whistle, especially Rivers, a foul maker, who didn't make a few free throws. Conversely, Suns players seem to have an easier time getting referees on the defensive end and frequently stepping up to the free-throw line. This discrepancy frustrates Lakers players. The Lakers head coach said in an interview that he was disappointed with the number of free throws made in the game.
Many fans and ** also said that the Lakers were clearly snubbed by the referees in tonight's game, while the Suns were given too many free throw opportunities. Even called for the NBA to start an investigation, and the controversy caused by the difference in free throws also made the Lakers and Suns the focus of the world.