26032929-1765771284.jpeg

Fans Call Out Lakers Bias as LeBron James Gets 4 FTs to Save LA in Clutch in Win vs Suns

by

LeBron James and the LA Lakers won 116-114 against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, avoiding a consecutive loss for the first time this season. It was an up-and-down game for LA, which was highly controversial due to the refereeing. The Lakers had 43 free throw attempts while Phoenix had 25.

That included four massive free throws, which may have decided the game. As the Suns completed a miraculous comeback, overturning a 22-point deficit, following a Dillon Brooks 3, the forward was called for his second tech of the night for taunting James.

While James missed that free throw, he got three more off a shooting foul on the possession after the attempt, after he received a whistle on a foul from Devin Booker. James hit two out of three to give LA the lead. Marcus Smart got two more free throws after getting fouled in the Lakers’ half-court.

Many NBA fans felt the Suns were wronged with how the game was officiated, especially in the clutch. Here’s how they vented their frustration by calling out the officiating bias.

@UnderdogNBA Lakers always needing the refs to win lol

@UnderdogNBA Congratulations to the Los Angeles Referees on a great win!

@UnderdogNBA @NBA HAS TO investigate these calls. Reverse this Mickey Mouse Lakers win.

@UnderdogNBA we just got robbed in broad daylight smh😂

@UnderdogNBA Impressive game of the suns vs the refs here

@UnderdogNBA One of the ugliest officiated games I’ve ever seen

LeBron James nearly matches free-throw career high as a Laker

Early in his NBA career, LeBron James was one of the best at getting to the free-throw line. From his second season with the Cavaliers in his first stint to his final one, he frequently averaged 10 trips to the line. However, that number has decreased yearly.

With the Lakers, it’s been at career low levels. Last season, James averaged 4.7 free throw attempts, and this year he’s at 3.7. However, on Sunday, James nearly matched his career high in free throw attempts as a Laker with 14. His best is 15, which he achieved three times. The last time he had at least 14 was in 2023.

The game was called much differently across the board. The referees were inconsistent on both ends, failing to let the game flow in a decent rhythm. The Lakers emerged as the beneficiaries, so it wasn’t something they would mind as much as Phoenix.

As for LeBron James, he was more aggressive with his scoring after the Lakers played without Austin Reaves, who is sidelined with a calf strain. It was one of the key factors behind his high free-throw rate.