Despite being at home, the Rockets took 11 fewer free-throw attempts than San Antonio in Saturday’s narrow loss. After Houston briefly took its only lead of the game with under 4:00 left in the fourth quarter, the Spurs scored their next six points at the foul line to pull away.
In postgame comments, veteran guard John Wall — who led the Rockets with 27 points (52.6% FG) and 7 assists in 32 minutes — made it clear that he was extremely frustrated with numerous calls.
When asked postgame about the late whistles in Saturday’s game that went against the Rockets, Wall responded:
I know I’ll probably get fined for it, but the refs, they’re just unbelievable. We’re a team with guys that drive to the basket a lot, and we always get excuses on why we don’t get the same calls the other guys get.
Guys drive, [and] every time we bump them or swipe down, they get every call. I feel like we have guys that drive to the basket enough between me, Vic [Oladipo], EG [Eric Gordon], that drive and don’t get those same calls. It’s kind of frustrating, but because we’re missing easy shots that we normally get, and some guys are getting calls that they probably shouldn’t get.
“The refs are unbelievable. We are a team with guys that drive to the basket a lot and we always get excuses on why we don’t get the same calls the other guys get,” Rockets guard John Wall on the officiating in the loss to the Spurs. #Rockets credit: @Jonathan_Feigen pic.twitter.com/MmmM71p4Un
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 7, 2021
Complete video of Wall’s postgame interview can be viewed below. Despite having back spasms, Wall absorbed significant contact on his drives to the rim on Saturday while trying to lead his Rockets (11-11) to the win. It was only Houston’s second loss in the last nine games.
The officials for Saturday’s game were David Guthrie, Mitchell Ervin, and Suyash Mehta. It remains to be seen if the NBA will fine Wall on Sunday for his comments, as they often do for public criticism of officials.
John Wall entered tonight's game averaging 14.5 drives per game and 3.7 free throw attempts.
Damian Lillard averages 15.5 drives per game and 7.6 free throw attempts
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 7, 2021
