Indiana Pacers File Complaint Over 78 Referee Decisions In First Two Games Against Knicks

The Indiana Pacers filed a complaint with the NBA Wednesday night concerning 78 calls and non-calls in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The team claims that the referees have made a preponderance of errors that have helped the second-seeded Knicks take a 2-0 series lead.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after Game 2, a 130-121 Knicks win that he had been holding out hope for improved officiating since the team’s Game 1 loss Sunday. He was disappointed and claimed that his team never had a serious chance.

“I can promise you that we’re going to submit these [complaints] tonight,” Carlisle said after Game 2. “New York can get ready. They’ll see ’em too. I’m always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials, but we deserve a fair shot.”

In recent years, the NBA has faced increasing scrutiny concerning referees’ decisions as the league updates its instant replay rules. In a fast-paced game like basketball, fans at home have a very different viewing experience than referees on the floor. Referees are also central to many fans’ conspiracy theories about game fixing, fueled by the 2007 Tim Donaghy scandal and other minor incidents.

The Pacers are merely questioning the referees’ competence in their complaint to the NBA, arguing that the calls have been skewed heavily in favor of their opponent. Several outside spectators partially agree with Indiana’s assessment, especially concerning a blatant error at the end of Game 1 in which a potential Pacers steal was instead called a kicked-ball violation.

But while some in the Pacers organization are focused on ensuring fairness from referees, others, like Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton, claim that the team could have avoided both losses by playing better. After scoring just six points in Game 1, the All-Star bounced back in Game 2 and scored 34.

“Let’s not pretend like [officiating] is the only reason we lost. We just didn’t play good enough,” Haliburton said. “We just got to be better.”