Pacers file complaint to NBA over 78 calls, source says - ESPN

The Indiana Pacers have submitted 78 plays to the NBA that they felt were called incorrectly against them during Games 1 and 2 against the New York Knicks, a league source told ESPN.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, speaking after Indiana fell behind 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 130-121 loss to New York on Wednesday, said the team had identified 29 questionable calls from Game 1. The source said the Pacers identified 49 such plays from Game 2 and submitted them overnight to the NBA office.

Carlisle said they had decided not to send the Game 1 calls to the league office for review but reversed that decision after Game 2 had similar officiating issues from their perspective.

As part of NBA protocol, the clips will also be shared with the Knicks.

«I can promise you that we're going to submit these tonight,» Carlisle said after being ejected in the final minute when he was given two technical fouls. «New York can get ready. They'll see 'em too. I'm always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials, but we deserve a fair shot.»

A frustrated Carlisle also implied the Pacers were being penalized by officials because they were playing against the league's largest market.

«Small-market teams deserve an equal shot,» Carlisle said. «They deserve a fair shot no matter where they're playing.»

Carlisle was ejected after growing upset about several calls in Game 2, particularly when officials correctly reversed a double-dribble violation that could have given the Pacers a key possession with the outcome still in doubt.

In Game 1, a kicked ball violation was called in error against the Pacers but not corrected, a decision that ended up costing the team three vital points during the 121-117 loss.

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