Ime Udoka lashed out at the officials after the Houston Rockets’ 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, in a game where both teams combined for 59 free throw attempts.
Udoka was particularly unhappy with a late sequence in regulation, as Amen Thompson was called for a foul away from the play after the Houston Rockets guard appeared to trip Tim Hardaway Jr. Houston challenged the call, but to no avail. Jamal Murray sent the game to overtime with a crucial free throw.
“Just in general, I think, most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka told reporters. “(Officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls) have no business being out there, and (crew chief Zach Zarba) was acting starstruck. You’re seeing all kind of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should’ve gotten a few more techs.”
“We’re not going to adjust to poor officials,” he added. “We’re going to do what we do, and hopefully they can adjust and call it the right way. It’s two physical teams in a high-level game.”
Houston Rockets News: Alperen Sengun went toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic
After a subpar performance in their first meeting with the Denver Nuggets this season, Alperen Sengun did much better for the Houston Rockets on Monday, recording 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals on 14-for-27 shooting from the field.
With Nikola Jokic also contributing 39 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, two blocks, and five three-pointers on 13-for-27 shooting for the Denver Nuggets, last night marked the first time in NBA history that two centers had 30-point triple-doubles in the same contest.
“That’s what I am every game. I didn’t do a good job last game against him, so I was more focused this game,” Şengun said via Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle. “Just need to play with this mentality every game.”
