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NBA Fines Toronto’s Rajakovic $25,000 for Comments Blasting Officiating After Loss to Lakers

NEW YORK (AP) — Toronto coach Darko Rajkovic was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday, two days after he went on a rant about his team's postgame officiating. Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 132-131.

Rajkovic took particular exception to the fact that the Lakers had 23 free throws in the fourth quarter, while the Raptors made just two. The 21 free throw difference was the largest in any quarter of an NBA game this season.

The Lakers made 36 free throws in this game (14 from Anthony Davis alone), while the Raptors only made 13.

“What happened tonight is completely terrible,” Radjakovic said after the match, occasionally punching the table he was sitting on for emphasis. “This is a disgrace. It's a shame for the referees. It's a shame for the league to allow this. They have 23 free throws and we get two free throws in the fourth quarter? ?”

Raptors' first-year head coach Rajkovic went on to call the game “not fair,” suggesting it wasn't the first time Toronto felt the game wasn't played on an even playing field this season. did.

Toronto entered Tuesday making the second-fewest free throws per game in the league. Opponents have averaged 19.5 foul shots against the Raptors entering this contest this season.

What further angered the Raptors was Davis' call for a foul on RJ Barrett's screen on Scottie Barnes' game-tying 3-pointer with 24.8 seconds left. The Raptors argued to no avail that Davis was a failure.

“Did they have to win tonight? If so, let them know not to come to the game,” Radjakovic said. “Just give them the win. But tonight it wasn't fair. And this isn't the first time for us.”

The Raptors lost again on Wednesday in Los Angeles, falling to the Clippers 126-120. Before the game, Radjaković said that the previous night's loss was detrimental to the team.

“I'm always going to stand up for the team, the players and the organization,” he added.

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