5 of the most controversial games in NBA history

---

#3. LA Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings (2002 Western Conference Finals, Game 6)

The LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings had the biggest rivalry in the NBA in the early 2000s. Sacramento and the San Antonio Spurs were the Lakers’ biggest stumbling blocks during the Shaq-Kobe partnership during that time.

In the 2002 Western Conference finals, the Kings, who led 3-2, had the Lakers on the ropes. LA, however, managed to hang on before eventually pulling out the win.

The Lakers’ ridiculous 27 fourth-quarter free throws were perhaps the biggest reason they were not sent home.

Controversial referee Tim Donaghy named the Lakers-Kings matchup as a classic example of game-fixing in the NBA. Although tampering wasn’t proven, many fans felt the disparity in free throws was used to manipulate the result of the game.

---

#2. New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets (December 16, 2006)

Unlike the previous games, this was a controversial game that happened in the regular season. On December 16, 2006, the New York Knicks hosted the Denver Nuggets at the famed Madison Square Garden.

The Nuggets led 119-100 with 1:15 left in the game when the Knicks’ Mardy Collins committed a Flagrant Foul 2 on Denver’s J.R. Smith. The altercation resulted in a full-blown brawl that partially spilled into the stands.

All 10 players on the floor including NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony were ejected after the entire sequence was reviewed. Anthony’s punch on Collins elevated the dustup which looked like it had been settled.

---

#1. Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers (November 19, 2004)

Infamously known as the “Malice in the Palace,” no game is more controversial than the brawl that happened on November 19, 2004.

The Indiana Pacers were cruising to a win over the Detroit Pistons when all hell broke loose. Pistons center Ben Wallace was going for a layup when he was fouled hard by Pacers fiery forward Ron Artest.

When things had seemingly calmed down, a few fans got involved. One threw a drink at Artest who went into the stands to charge at the culprit. Stephen Jackson and other Pacers players followed Artest and engaged the fans as well.

Fans from both sides also fought against each other. The melee took place all over “The Palace” causing a large police force to be called in to stop the brawl.