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Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns were very frustrated following their 122-111 loss to the LA Lakers on Wednesday.
The Lakers notably had a massive advantage in free-throws attempted. LA shot 46 times from the line compared to the Suns’ 20. Following the game, Booker hinted that the free throw disparity could be attributed to a league-wide conspiracy to get LA into the playoffs.
“After the game is controlled in the first half and we're down 20 to 30 free throws, it's kind of easier for them to give us some after that,” Booker said.
“I watch these games every night, so I kind of understand what's going on. I understand the agendas that are being pushed, and trying to just get that out of my head and go out there and compete.”
The LA Lakers (36-37, 10th in the West) are barely clinging to the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The team is just half a game ahead of the 12th-placed Utah Jazz (35-37) with nine games remaining.
The LA Lakers are one of the NBA’s premier franchises and the league would likely be better off with LA in the playoffs. However, as of now, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that the NBA is favoring the Lakers in any way.
Also read: Nick Wright makes bold prediction about LA Lakers - "The Lakers will be the sixth seed"
Suns coach Monty Williams on LA Lakers’ massive free throw advantage
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams also let his frustrations be heard following his team’s loss to the LA Lakers on Wednesday. He spoke about how unheard of it is for a team to shoot 46 free throws in a single game.
“Where do you see a game with 46 free throws for one team?” Williams questioned.
He then explained that Phoenix has not been getting the same calls as other teams all year.
“That’s just not right. I don’t care how you slice it. It is happening to us too much. Other teams are reaching, other teams are hitting, and we’re not getting the same call, and I’m tired of it. It’s old,” Williams said.
“Forty-six to 20 free throws with Devin Booker on our team. He gets 12. I mean, our bench had no free throws. It’s just … I’m over it. Been talking about the same thing for a while. Doesn’t matter what team it is.”
Suns star point guard Chris Paul also echoed a similar sentiment in his postgame interview.
“We've been seeing some crazy stuff in different situations,” Paul said.
“I watch a lot of basketball, and ... we've got a guy (Booker) who goes (to the rim) night in and night out, and you don't necessarily see the same (calls). It's crazy. Crazy how some of (the officials), too, you can't even talk to them or approach them ... because that (communication) is horrible.”
Booker and the Suns (38-34, fourth in the West) will next play on Friday against the Sacramento Kings (43-29, third in the West). It remains to be seen if the NBA will make it a focal point to have more balanced officiating during that game.
