NBA Finals: Referees in limelight ahead of Game 4 after comments from both teams

As we approach Game 4 of the high-intensity NBA Finals, the tensions have already started rising with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo saying he’s taking a “good beating’ in these games, while Phoenix coach Monty Williams lashed out at the disparity in the number of free throws awarded to both the teams.

So, it’s no surprise that the referees and their calls are back again in the limelight.

“I take a pretty good beating down there,” Greek forward Antetokounmpo said on Tuesday, after he top-scored for his team in Sunday’s game. “I have a scratch right here and scratch right here. They’re making my pretty face ugly.”

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player scored 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Visiting Suns carries a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven showdown into Wednesday’s contest, where the battle near the basket between the global big men could steal the show.

But come Game 4, the Bucks talisman is planning to be powering his way to the hoop for dunks as well.

“I just try to focus on what I have to do and how can I help my team be successful,” Antetokounmpo said, according to AFP inputs. “That’s all I’m going to spend my energy on.”

Meanwhile, after Suns went 11-of-16 at the free throw line, coach Monty Williams pointed out that Bucks forward Antetokounmpo alone had more shots than the entire Phoenix team, going 13-of-17 from the line while the Bucks went 20-of-26.

ALSO READ | Five players who can decide the NBA Finals on their own

“The free throw disparity is what it is. They had one player with 17 free throws. We had 16. That’s not complaining. That’s stating facts,” Williams said.

“I wasn’t pulling something out of a cloud. You get where I’m coming from? Those are facts. That’s what it was.”

However, Williams denied he was trying to send a subtle message or taking a dig.

“I try to be respectful,” he said. “I don’t want to play the game that way. It’s just not who I am. Maybe I’m wrong in that. I’ve seen coaches implement that. I just know I’m not that good at it.”

Reacting to Williams’ statement, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said such remarks are nothing new in such heated playoff games but also don’t figure to impact the calls in future contests.

“It’s like the age-old ritual of the playoffs,” Budenholzer said. “I don’t know that it has any impact. Some players, some teams actually feel like they’re penalized for doing it.

“I actually think the referees just call the game and coaches go and talk about the game. We have the best referees in the league and we’re always still frustrated with them.”

Meanwhile, Phoenix’s center Deandre Ayton, who was whistled for his playoffs-high five fouls in Sunday’s 120-100 game three loss, promised to keep being aggressive. 

Ayton said that he wouldn’t let those foul calls affect his aggression although he admitted that it “was pretty frustrating.” 

“I’m not going to let that game bother me. I’ve been playing defense where I can play big and just embrace contact,” Ayton said. “It’s pretty hard in the playoffs where you can get a foul or not. It’s just me being sturdy and doing what I do best.”