For the last year, everybody has been waiting for an NBA playoffs rematch between the Warriors and Rockets. The start to the Western Conference Semifinals didn't disappoint, but the referees, not the players, became the main story from Game 1.
As the Warriors came away with a 104-100 win Sunday at Oracle Arena, the Rockets made their feelings known with complaints about the referees during and after the game -- particularly with a few "no-calls" on Rockets 3-point attempts.
But the Warriors reportedly have their own frustrations, too.
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SIGN UP HERE Behind the scenes, the Warriors whispered about the Rockets putting two hands on Kevin Durant when he drives to the basket and not getting a foul call, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Sunday night.
Durant finished the game with 15 free throws, scoring 12 of his 35 points from the charity stripe. James Harden, the Rockets' star known for drawing fouls, totaled 14 free throws.
After the game, Harden called out the referees and believed he was being unfairly treated.
“I mean, I just want a fair chance, man,” Harden said. “Call the game how it’s supposed to be called, and that’s it. And I’ll live with the results.”
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Once he was told of Harden's comments, Warriors forward Draymond Green was having none of the complaints.
“I've been fouled by James on a James 3-pointer before,” Green responded, referring to Harden’s tendency to extend his legs to draw contact after shooting. “No, I ain't going with that one. I'm straight. No.”
[RELATED: Warriors tried defending Harden with different tactics]
This is just Game 1. All eyes will be on the Last Two-Minute Report -- which should be released Monday afternoon -- and chatter will only continue about the officiating as we head into Game 2 on Tuesday night.
