Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had some choice words for the officials following his club's 114-108 Game 4 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"They went to the foul line 35 times," Malone said postgame, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I think I'm going to have to go through the proper channels like they did to see if we can figure out how we can get some more free throws."
Malone's comments were a reference to Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, who said Wednesday the team had talked to the NBA's office about LeBron James' lack of free throws during the Western Conference finals.
Los Angeles attempted 12 more free throws than Denver, including a 17-9 advantage in the fourth quarter. James went 11-of-14 from the charity stripe after managing just 10 free throws combined in the first three contests of the series.
Malone isn't sure if the conversation directly impacted Game 4, but the bench boss says the club will have their own meeting with the league ahead of Saturday's do-or-die matchup.
"I just know they went 35 (times) and we went 23," Malone said. "I think late in the game Jamal Murray attacked the basket a few times where it appeared to be contact. We'll watch the film and send our clips in. We'll reach out to the NBA and kind of make our points noted.
"Whether them going through the proper channels affected tonight or not, I have no idea. The NBA does a great job of listening. You hope that next game maybe some of those fouls are called."
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.
