Bucks Fall to Hornets Amid Controversial Officiating
The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a narrow 115-114 defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, a game mired in controversy due to questionable officiating. The Bucks, now with a record of 4-9, find themselves sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, struggling to find a rhythm early in the season.
Contentious Calls Plague Bucks
The Bucks' encounter with the Hornets was marked by a series of contentious calls that left the Milwaukee camp fuming. In the closing moments, LaMelo Ball’s drive against Giannis Antetokounmpo drew a crucial foul, a call heavily disputed by the Bucks. According to NBA official Curtis Blair, who later reviewed the play, "During live play, we called illegal leg-to-leg contact. During postgame review, when we looked at the play, there was no illegal contact on the play." Despite the admission of error, the call stood during the match, and Ball capitalized by sinking both free throws, sealing the Hornets' victory.
Doc Rivers Voices Frustration
Bucks coach Doc Rivers did not hold back in voicing his frustration over the officiating, leading to a $25,000 fine for public criticism. He expressed his discontent, saying, "I thought the final play was the ref blowing the call. This is back-to-back games now where on the final play there's been an incorrect call made. LaMelo Ball fell. He just fell down. Nobody was near him, slipped on his own, we come up with the ball and the game's over."
The simmering frustration within the Bucks' camp is further fuelled by the fact that this is not the first time recently that officiating has swung against them. "Back-to-back games now, we've had a call made against us that was incorrect. We were lucky versus Detroit when the kid missed two free throws. Tonight, LaMelo Ball made the free throws. And there was clearly not a foul," Rivers emphasized.
Free Throw Disparity
The disparity in free throw attempts was also a glaring issue for Milwaukee. The Hornets enjoyed 21 attempts from the charity stripe compared to just 11 for the Bucks, a point not lost on Rivers. "The free throws tonight were 21 to 11 in their favor in a game that Giannis played. Giannis took one free throw. Go back three plays when Giannis dunked. The whole team fouled him. The whole team fouled him, and it's a no-call," Rivers stated, underscoring his dissatisfaction.
Struggling Without Key Players
Further compounding the Bucks’ woes was the absence of key players Damian Lillard, sidelined due to a concussion, and Khris Middleton, dealing with ankle issues. Their absence placed additional pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo to carry the team, yet the Greek Freak was limited to a solitary free throw attempt throughout the game.
Despite Giannis’ herculean efforts, encapsulated in a last-second step-back jumper attempt that ultimately missed, the Bucks were left to rue their missed opportunities and the impact of contentious officiating on the game's result.
Looking Forward
The Bucks’ journey through the early stages of this NBA season has been fraught with challenges, from injuries to issues beyond their control. Coach Rivers and his team are steadfast in their resolve to rise above adversities and refocus their energies on improving both their fortunes and their standings in the Eastern Conference. With Giannis leading from the front, Milwaukee aims to reclaim momentum and instill confidence as they navigate the grueling schedule that lies ahead.