Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman voiced strong frustration over the officiating in Thursday’s Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, particularly how Nikola Jokic was treated by the referees.
The Nuggets fell 111-105 at the Intuit Dome, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their first-round Western Conference series.
Adelman’s primary issue: Jokic attempted just two free throws despite what he described as heavy contact throughout the game.
“Nikola gets fouled a lot. I’m not sure what was happening tonight, but for him to shoot two free throws with the amount of contact that was going on out there was absolutely crazy,” Adelman said, via Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette.
“They put smalls on him. Those smalls were allowed to do whatever they want. So I’m really excited for Saturday — we’re going to be able to do the same thing with their best players. If that’s the physicality we’re allowed to play with, we’ll react to it.”
Jokic finished with 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting in the loss. His two free throw attempts were a series low, though not dramatically off from other games — he had just four in Game 2 and five in Game 5.
Critics of Jokic have argued that his tendency to embellish contact may contribute to a lack of calls, a narrative that’s gained traction recently. Either way, Adelman’s comments signal Game 7 could be a highly physical and contentious affair.