Why Scott Foster vs. Chris Paul has become the NBA's most scrutinized referee-player matchup

PHOENIX — In September 2020, while embedded in the Orlando bubble, Chris Paul was preparing to play a Game 7 for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Houston Rockets when a nemesis came to speak to him.

Referee Scott Foster reminded Paul that 12 years earlier, during Paul's first playoffs, when he was with the New Orleans Hornets, Foster had officiated their Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Foster's context for making the comment is unknown. But Paul, in telling the story after the Thunder suffered a frustrating defeat, appeared to think Foster had played some sort of mind game.

Foster indeed seems to have gotten in Paul's head over the years, especially during the playoffs.

The key number now is 13. That's how many consecutive playoff games Paul's teams (the LA Clippers, Rockets, Thunder and now the Phoenix Suns) have lost when Foster has been the game's crew chief. And Paul's playoff record overall is 2-17 dating back to that game in 2008, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

That history is in the forefront again Tuesday, with Foster assigned to referee the Suns' important Game 2 with the Clippers. Already down 1-0 and playing at home, it's basically a must-win game for Phoenix.

There are always three teams on the floor: the home team, the road team and the neutral team.

This is Foster's 29th season, and he is regarded by the league as one of its best, having been assigned to 23 Finals games and been a regular on Game 7s makes it clear he consistently rates highly. Tuesday will be his 228th career playoff game. He is known for being fearless with his whistle, unafraid to make any call at any time anywhere.

But when Foster has officiated Paul, the point guard has clearly felt as if he's at a