Carlisle advocates for fair opportunity for small-market teams; Pacers request NBA review, according to AP source

The Indiana Pacers have taken action against what they believe to be unfair officiating in their series against the New York Knicks, sending 78 plays they feel were called incorrectly to the NBA office for review. Coach Rick Carlisle expressed his frustration after Game 2, stating that the physicality of the Knicks was being rewarded while the Pacers were being penalized.

Carlisle revealed that the team had identified 29 plays from Game 1 that they had issues with but decided not to send them to the league office in hopes of a more balanced whistle in Game 2. However, the coach felt that the calls did not go in their favor once again.

Among the plays in question was an uncalled shove by Josh Hart into the back of Tyrese Haliburton, as well as a double-dribble call against Isaiah Hartenstein that was changed to an inadvertent whistle, allowing the Knicks to maintain possession and extend their lead.

Despite the controversy surrounding the officiating, Haliburton acknowledged that the Pacers needed to take responsibility for their performance on the court, stating, “At the end of the day we got outplayed. We were right there in the game. But I like consistency, yeah. But let’s not pretend, like, that’s the only reason we lost. We just didn’t play good enough. But at the end of the day it’s 2-0.”

The series now shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3, where the Pacers will look to bounce back and even the score against the Knicks. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.