Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy said the NBA wanted major market teams to move on and vie for the NBA Championship.
Many years ago when Colin Cowherd was still in Portland, he asked David Stern if the NBA wanted the Lakers to make it to the Finals. Stern said it would be good for the league if the Lakers were in the Finals. In two separate seasons the Lakers were down 3-1 to the Blazers and the Kings. During the next the games, far more fouls were called on the Blazers and Kings.
If the NBA was honest, the refs in this game will not be moving on to the next round. The ref 5 feet away from the shooter wasn’t even looking at the two players; he was following the ball.
And the Lakers are now down 3-1 to the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves are so screwed.
If the finals turn out to be Cleveland - Oklahoma City, woe to the TV ratings.
Boston - LA would be ideal, but it’s looking bad for the Lakers.