When you couple a bad choking team with referees who are clearly biased, its easy to see how a team can blow a 23 point lead in the middle of the 3rd quarter.
New Orleans had 3 extra players on the court wearing pinstripes during the entire 2nd half and went to the FT line 18 more times than Sacramento. IN addition, the refs called traveling on Sacramento at least 6 different times during crucial situations (New Orleans had no traveling calls).
Even with their meltdown over the last quarter and a half, Sacramento still won the "real" game by double digits tonight but the 18 shot free throw disparity along with the 6-8 traveling calls was too much for Sacramento to overcome.
If the players weren't paid so much money, I have no doubt that one of those referees would have been punched right in the mouth.
Until New Orleans finds a new owner, the refs are going to do everything in their power to help them.
New Orleans had 3 extra players on the court wearing pinstripes during the entire 2nd half and went to the FT line 18 more times than Sacramento. IN addition, the refs called traveling on Sacramento at least 6 different times during crucial situations (New Orleans had no traveling calls).
Even with their meltdown over the last quarter and a half, Sacramento still won the "real" game by double digits tonight but the 18 shot free throw disparity along with the 6-8 traveling calls was too much for Sacramento to overcome.
If the players weren't paid so much money, I have no doubt that one of those referees would have been punched right in the mouth.
Until New Orleans finds a new owner, the refs are going to do everything in their power to help them.
