In the days between Games 1 and 2 of the Warriors-Rockets second-round NBA playoff series, the discussion is unlikely to center around Steph Curry's clutch 3-pointer in Golden State's 104-100 Game 1 win.
Instead, you'll undoubtedly encounter a seemingly endless uproar regarding the way in which Game 1 was officiated.
Depending on who you ask, the Warriors greatly benefited from some egregiously missed calls. Or, simply, the Rockets weren't rewarded for flopping and exaggerating. Or, according to some people, too much was being made of the officiating anyway.
Here's a selection of the Twitterverse after Sunday's game ...Â
I don’t like the flop but that’s a foul.. look where Livingston jump from and land, then look at his hand that contested the shot.. The other camera view shows it all https://t.co/EvI3LQTpvO
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) April 28, 2019
Phantom foul calls within the same offensive possession against the Warriors. Steph picks up his fifth, Iguodala his fourth. pic.twitter.com/uDtuRR9QPf
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) April 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/dkurtenbach/status/1122624539735683072My guys were not allowed to contest shots like that last week...or maybe i’m crazy and it’s just camera angles 🤔 https://t.co/RvqYdCWzuC
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 28, 2019
It’s on the @nba competition committee to get rid of the side to side foul. The defender has every right to the space. Offensive players are smart enough to take advantage of this. It’s not on the refs. It’s league stupidity
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 28, 2019
Everybody was so busy worried about getting fouls called, forgot about trying to win the game!!!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 28, 2019
Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said after the game that the officials apologized to him at halftime for missing some first-half calls. James Harden, in a quote that's bound to make plenty chuckle, pleaded aloud to the officials, saying: "I mean, I just want a fair chance, man. Call the game how it’s supposed to be called, and that’s it. And I’ll live with the results."
Warriors forward Draymond Green, upon hearing Harden's comments, dismissed them.
[RELATED:Â Rockets GM agrees with Cuban on Game 1 officiating]
So, clearly, the Warriors don't feel bad for the Rockets, nor should they. Golden State holds a one-game-to-none series lead despite having significantly less rest than Houston ahead of Game 1.
Both the Warriors and Rockets will feel pressure in Game 2 on Tuesday. But, safe to say, no one will feel it more than the officials.
Good luck with that.