In yet another marginally close game, the New York Knicks defended the prestigious Madison Square Garden. Edging out by just 9 points, once again it was the cornerstone Jalen Brunson who came to the rescue. The All-Sar guard scored 14 points in the final quarter to overcome the Pacers’ speedy offense. However, that wasn’t how Indiana’s coach Rick Carlisle saw the game who claimed the referees favored the Knicks during both the games.

Carlisle admitted contemplating whether the Pacers should have raised concerns after Game 1. Being hopeful prevented him from doing so. However, after tonight, he has vowed to forward various clips to the NBA. “I can promise you that we’re going to submit these tonight. New York can get ready they’ll see them too. I’m always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials but we deserve a fair shot. There’s just not a consistent balance and that’s disappointing,” said an irate Pacer head coach.

Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t wait to speak about it when on NBA On TNT. The Big Diesel urged the Pacers to “overcome” the imbalance rather than raise a complaint about the same. His attitude could be traced back to the time he was in a similar position with David Stern.

Shaquille O’Neal was laughed at for complaining about fouls

Shaq wasn’t the only one disagreeing with Rick Carlisle. Even Charles Barkley relayed the same sentiments. He did so by stating “You have to always assume you going to get jobbed on the road. All the close calls going to go to the home team, I’ve always felt like that. Even to this day when I am watching games. If there is any close call I always think it’s going to go to the home team,”. 

Upon further discussion, the crew also agreed how officiating wasn’t the reason they lost. The Knicks only attempted five more free throws than the Paccers and made 18. The visiting team went to the line 17 times and made 10. They also missed their last five three throws allowing the Knicks to extend their advantage.

Kenny Smith did defend Carlisle for calling out the officials. He stressed even the best of coaches did so. That’s when Shaquille O’Neal narrated his experience with former commissioner David Stern. He recalled going to his office along with his agent to vent about the loads of fouls going unnoticed. Instead, Stern turned the tables on him.

“I say ‘David, guys are touching me up a little hard and refs are not calling’. David starts laughing. I was like ‘Is something funny?’. He said ‘Shaq, I find this ironic because I got 29 teams saying you doing the same thing. So at that point, I knew it wasn’t going to get it done,” Shaq narrated.

The legendary big man decided to become a “warrior” and play through it, something he urged the Pacers to do as well. Shaq believes that what all the greats have done when the officiating doesn’t support them. In such cases, there are always two sides. Carlisle isn’t in the wrong to defend his players, especially when the foul he mentioned on Tyrese Haliburton was targeted on his injured back. However, it’s also wrong to say that’s the reason the Pacers lost.

Haliburton and Co. have played a wonderful brand of basketball looking to bury their opponents with relentless shot-making. It’s just that the Knicks have matched their pace pivoting primarily to Jalen Brunson. His efficiency has played a key role in helping New York establish a two-game lead.

Now, if what Barkley says is true, Indiana can expect to have a more pleasant experience for the following two games hosting the Knicks. An energized and rapturous crowd awaits at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Can Indiana deliver on their fans’ aspirations and stun the Knicks?