Phoenix Suns were not able to take a commanding lead in the series vs New Orleans as the Pelicans prevailed in Game 4 to tie the playoff matchup at 2-all. Phoenix head coach Monty Williams called out the officiating of the game referring to the free-throw disparity.
“You can slice it any way you want to. In a playoff game that physical, (the disparity) is amazing,” Williams told reporters. “Coaches shouldn’t have to come up to the microphone and feel like they’re going to get their heads cut off for speaking the truth.”
The Pelicans shot 42 free throws to the Suns’ 15 and it was a 17-2 disparity in the first half. The Suns were called for 12 more fouls in what was a physical playoff game. Williams admitted the Pelicans came out as deserved winners.
“It’s not like we don’t attack the basket,” Williams stated. “They outplayed us, they deserve to win. That’s a free throw disparity that you have to look at … it’s hard swallow.”
The Suns once again did not make the shots the team needed from beyond the arc. The same goes for Pelicans, who also shot 25 percent from beyond the arc.
The Suns were without star Devin Booker for a second consecutive game as he works back from a hamstring injury suffered in Game 2 last week. Cam Johnson, who replaced him in the starting lineup shot just 6-of-19 in the series so far.
Phoenix will try to bounce back in front of its fans Tuesday night. On the other side, the Pelicans are hoping to steal one to put themselves in position to upset the regular season leaders.
Comments