The Rockets were clearly frustrated with the officiating in their Game 1 loss to the Warriors on Sunday.
Chris Paul earned two technicals and an ejection for arguing with officials during the game, and Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni picked up a technical for arguing a no-call in the third quarter.
D'Antoni was not happy, in particular, with officials not calling fouls on Warriors players defending 3-point attempts, as shown here on the aforementioned play in the third quarter.
Chris Paul drains a 3, thought he was fouled, picks up a technical. pic.twitter.com/IF3DLYMDlM
— 🇨🇦Four Krusties🏀 (@DFSBBallGuy) April 28, 2019
After the game, D'Antoni says officials admitted to him they missed four such calls in the first half alone.
"They just came at halftime and said they missed them," D'Antoni said. "They missed four of them. That's 12 foul shots."
After Game 1 loss to Warriors, Rockets' Mike D'Antoni weighs in on the officials not calling fouls on three-point shots: "They just came at halftime and said they missed them. They missed four of them. That's 12 foul shots." pic.twitter.com/IA6lqeuvcv
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 28, 2019
Golden State held on to win 104-100, so a dozen extra free throws would have easily been the difference for Houston.
The issue throughout the game, for James Harden and the other Rockets long-range shooters, was whether Golden State players gave them room to land after their shots, as on this no-call on a Harden attempt.
Harden was not happy about these close-outs by Klay + CP3 and Mike D'Antoni get techs after a no-call. 👀 pic.twitter.com/p1hKXw1DsC
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) April 28, 2019
Expect this issue to be a hot topic as the series continues Tuesday.