Lakers unhappy with officiating in heartbreaking Game 2 loss

Russell was complaining about being hit in the face by Michael Porter Jr. near the end of the third quarter, only to have the call overturned after Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenged.

LeBron James was even more effusive in his complaints, using far stronger language than his teammate.

But while the missed call cost the Lakers two free throws, it’s not the reason they blew a 20-point lead in the second half. It sounds like the reaction of a team that wants to blame someone besides themselves for a close loss — the tenth loss in a row to the same team. 

For a team that enjoyed a colossal free throw advantage all season, perhaps the Lakers feel betrayed that their traditional playoff allies, the referees, abandoned them Monday night. Just ask fans of the 2002 Sacramento Kings if they feel sorry for the Lakers not getting calls.

Anthony Davis gave a very angry press conference, while dressed like a character from “The Matrix Reloaded” who fights Keanu Reeves with medieval weapons.

Davis didn’t blame the officials, though, and he contested Murray’s game-winner pretty well. He could have been mad at himself for not making a field goal for the final 19:15 of the game. Or Davis wasn’t happy with his teammates.

That’s a more pressing issue than the officiating. Once the Lakers figure out what they’re doing on the court, then they can focus on the referees.