Raptors' Rajakovic tears into officiating after loss to Lakers
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic didn't mince words about the officiating following a narrow 132-131 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"How is it possible that Scottie Barnes - who is an All-Star caliber player in this league - he goes every single time to the rim with force and tries to get to the rim without flopping and not trying to get foul calls, he gets two free throws for the whole game," Rajakovic told reporters postgame. "How is that possible? How are you going to explain that to me? (The Lakers) had to win tonight?
"If that's the case, just let us know so we don't show up for the game. Just give them a win. That was not fair tonight. And this is not the first time it happened to us ... It's complete crap."
The Raptors had 26 personal fouls called against them compared to 16 for the Lakers.
Los Angeles attempted 23 more free throws than Toronto, including a 23-2 advantage during the final frame. It's the largest discrepancy in any quarter in the NBA this season, according to Sportsnet Stats.
Several calls didn't go in the away team's favor down the stretch. Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley was assessed a flagrant-1 foul with 3:42 to go when his elbow made contact with Cam Reddish on a drive to the basket.
Immanuel Quickley gets called for a flagrant foul and it's his 6th of the night. pic.twitter.com/JKJgAbGOhT
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 10, 2024
RJ Barrett was then called for an illegal screen on Anthony Davis with 24.8 seconds left in regulation, canceling out a game-tying triple from Barnes.
RJ Barrett offensive foul, wipes away Scottie Barnes game-tying 3 pic.twitter.com/egFudYsES5
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 10, 2024
Rajakovic said he received no explanation from the referees regarding the crucial late foul on Barrett.
"They review it and they see what they want to see. They don't want to hear what we've got to say. They don't want to hear the players."
He added: "What happened tonight, this is completely BS. This is shame. Shame for the referees. Shame for the league to allow this ... I understand respect for All-Stars and all of that, but we have star players on our team as well."
Tuesday's loss dropped Toronto to 2-2 on its six-game West coast road trip and 15-22 on the season.
The Raptors are back in action Wednesday evening against the Los Angeles Clippers.