The Los Angeles Lakers are known for their dominance on the court, but they also have a knack for getting their way off the court. After losing to the Miami Heat on Monday night, the Lakers reportedly filed a formal complaint to the NBA league office, claiming that LeBron James did not get enough foul calls in the game. The NBA dismissed the complaint, but the Lakers seemed to benefit from it in their next game against the Orlando Magic.
Lakers vs Heat: A Controversial Loss
The Lakers lost to the Heat by one point, 108-107, in a thrilling game that came down to the wire. The Lakers had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but Cam Reddish missed a wide-open three-pointer. The Lakers blamed the loss on the officiating, arguing that James was fouled several times while driving to the basket, but did not get the whistle. James finished the game with 30 points, but only four free throw attempts.
The Lakers contacted the NBA league office on Tuesday, citing “numerous missed foul calls” on James, and highlighting several clips from the game to demonstrate what they considered clear illegal contact. James and head coach Darvin Ham also expressed their frustration with the referees after the game.
“What they’re telling me is not consistent with what’s happening on the floor,” James said. “When I went for the dunk attempt against Thomas Bryant, he elbowed, like, arm straight across my face.”
Ham added, “I see ‘Bron shooting four free throws, and the number of times he attacked the rim, the number of times he was slapped on the arm, which I could see plain as day, for that not to be called, man. He’s not flopping. I’m watching him go to the hole strong.”
Lakers vs Magic: A Free Throw Bonanza
The NBA responded to the Lakers’ complaint by confirming that the referees did not miss any calls in the last two minutes of the game against the Heat. However, the Lakers seemed to get a favorable treatment in their next game against the Magic on Wednesday night. The Lakers won the game by 15 points, 121-106, and shot a whopping 37 free throws, compared to only nine for the Magic. The Lakers made 29 of their free throws, while the Magic made six.
James led the way for the Lakers with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, and also shot 12 free throws, making 10 of them. Anthony Davis had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and shot 10 free throws, making eight of them. Russell Westbrook had 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and shot seven free throws, making five of them. The Lakers’ big three combined for 29 free throw attempts, more than three times the Magic’s total.
The Magic, on the other hand, did not get much love from the referees. Their leading scorer, Cole Anthony, had 24 points, but only two free throw attempts, making one of them. Jalen Suggs had 21 points, but only one free throw attempt, which he missed. Wendell Carter Jr. had 15 points and 10 rebounds but did not shoot any free throws. The Magic’s frustration boiled over in the fourth quarter when Suggs was ejected for a flagrant foul on James.
Lakers’ Free Throw Disparity: A Trend or an Anomaly?
The Lakers’ free throw advantage against the Magic was one of the largest in the NBA this season. According to Basketball Reference, the Lakers rank fifth in the league in free throw differential, which is the difference between their free throw attempts and their opponents’ free throw attempts. The Lakers have attempted 209 free throws, while their opponents have attempted 148, for a differential of 61. The only teams with a higher differential are the Dallas Mavericks (76), the Milwaukee Bucks (69), the Atlanta Hawks (68), and the Phoenix Suns (63).
The Lakers’ high free throw differential could be attributed to their style of play, which emphasizes scoring in the paint and drawing contact. James, Davis, and Westbrook are all aggressive drivers who can draw fouls from defenders. The Lakers also have a strong defense that can limit their opponents’ free-throw opportunities. The Lakers rank second in the league in defensive rating, which measures the points allowed per 100 possessions.
However, the Lakers’ free throw differential could also be influenced by their reputation and influence in the league. The Lakers are one of the most popular and successful franchises in the NBA, with 17 championships and a global fan base. James is one of the most influential and respected players in the league, with four MVP awards and four championships. The Lakers and James could have some sway over the referees, who might be more inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt or avoid controversy.
The Lakers’ complaint to the NBA after the loss to the Heat could be seen as an example of their influence. The NBA might have dismissed the complaint, but the Lakers might have sent a message to the referees that they expect more foul calls in their favor. The Lakers’ free throw bonanza against the Magic could be a result of that message.
The Lakers will play their next game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. It will be interesting to see if the Lakers will continue to get more free throws than their opponents, or if the Magic game was an anomaly.
