Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel wanted to “clear the air” about the protocols involved in the team's foul-call complaints after Games 3 and 4 in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. The referees were thrown in the spotlight initially after several calls were missed during Game 3.
https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1309590344124624897
There was a common denominator in terms of how both teams felt with the officiating during both games. It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that the Lakers went so far as to wish to speak to the referees' managers and present a case following Game 3, stating that LeBron James hadn't been getting enough foul calls in the series. Many felt that this may have been a superstar treatment for James, as news of the officiating portal was something unheard of prior to Vogel explaining the protocols that coaches go through practically every game.
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone took a slight at Vogel that he should “go through the proper channels” as well in order to get some of the foul calls that the Lakers saw on Thursday.
The Lakers went on to win Game 4 114-108 behind James' 26-point, nine-rebound performance. The Lakers' case must of recieved a lot of clarity, as James shot 14 free throws in Game 4 as well. How those channels of officiating will play out for both clubs will be crucial to the series.
The Nuggets find themselves down 3-1 to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They've proven twice this postseason that they're more than capable of overcoming a 3-1 deficit, though it may pose as a challenge this go around.
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