Frustrated Lakers believe fouls not being called equally - ESPN

PHOENIX — All LeBron James could do was laugh Sunday when asked about the free throw disparity in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix shot 19 free throws as compared to just eight for L.A., representing a season low for the Lakers and tying the fewest such attempts in any game for the team since James joined the franchise in 2018, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

While James was exasperated, his coach, Darvin Ham, was angered.

«I'm not one to use referees as an excuse,» Ham said. «But it's becoming increasingly tough because of the inconsistency. I'm seeing our guys get the same contact on them as we're supposedly committing. And the whistle is not being blown.»

L.A. entered the game averaging 24.7 free throws per game as a team, the sixth most in the league.

«That's something we focus on, trying to win the free throw line every game,» Ham said. «And so that's tough. I'm telling my guys to drive downhill; we're trying to love and live in the paint. And you're not getting calls. I see guys with their hands in our guys' ribs or swinging, swiping at their heads, trying to block the shot but not getting the ball, but getting a piece of the body. And it's not being called, as simple as that.

»So, we have to figure out ways to not let that be a problem, but it's tough. Again, it's frustrating when there's so much inconsistency."

The Lakers had zero free throw attempts in Sunday's second half, marking the first time one of James' teams did not attempt a single foul shot in any half since December 2015.

«A lot of people, a lot of coaches, a lot of teams are like, 'That's all the Lakers do is get to the free throw line,'» James said. «It's like this narrative out there that that's all