JJ Redick, Lakers bemoan refs after Game 2 loss to Thunder

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers battled the Oklahoma City Thunder but were unable to even the NBA second-round series on Thursday, May 7. Instead, the Lakers fall to 0-2 in the series and move one step closer to potentially being swept by the defending champions. The Lakers continue to miss point guard Luka Doncic , and his absence is apparent after the Lakers turned the ball over 20 times, trying to move the ball around and generate some offense.

Austin Reaves was responsible for five, while LeBron James and Marcus Smart each had three. Reaves did carry the offense, shooting 10-of-16 from the field for 31 points. While the turnovers will likely be a topic of discussion internally, the Lakers remained vocal throughout the game about the fouls called by the officiating crew.

Coach JJ Redick was asked about the officials after the game and noted that James has only had five free-throw attempts over the first two games of the series. “LeBron (receives) the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen,” Redick told reporters after the game. “I've been with him for two years now, the smaller guys, because they can be theatrical, tend to get more fouls and guys built like LeBron, it’s hard for them.

” Austin Reaves and the Lakers just had a meeting with the refs after the game to share their frustration with them. pic. twitter.