CHICAGO -- NBA referees are calling about 11% more personal fouls per game so far in these playoffs than they did during the regular season, a differential that's on pace to be one of the largest in NBA history.
And in the league's eyes, that is to be expected.
Mindful of criticism from players and coaches, NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen acknowledges there is a difference between the regular season and the playoffs, but he said refereeing doesn't fundamentally change in the postseason.
"It would be very difficult on our players, on our coaches, most certainly on our referees, if the intensity of a seven-game series that we see in the playoffs exhibited itself over 82 games," McCutchen said at the NBA draft combine. "NBA playoff basketball is one of the great spectacles of all sport in my opinion. You get the combination of the passion and strength of our players and coaching staffs in tight spaces over seven-game series. And I think that that absolutely makes for a different game."
Austin Reaves and other Lakers players held an impromptu meeting at midcourt with referees after their Game 2 loss to the Thunder to voice concerns over what they felt was an offiiciating discrepancy. AP Photo/Nate Billings Playoff referees study tape after games, just as they do in the regular season. Every call is evaluated, and McCutchen has said several times in recent years that the league's referee corps is constantly striving to do better.
Given the stakes of the postseason, it's only natural for every play to come under more scrutiny and for emotions to run hotter.