Pacers Reportedly Raise Concerns Over 78 Missed Calls by NBA Officials in Games 1 and 2 Against Knicks

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Indiana Pacers have submitted 78 plays to the NBA from Games 1 and 2 against the New York Knicks that they believe were erroneously called due to officiating complaints.

Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Pacers, was ejected late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 130-121 Game 2 loss because he was not satisfied with the officials.

Later, Carlisle stated that they had found 29 calls from Game 1 and 49 from Game 2 that they disagreed with. The league was then presented with those contested plays. Carlisle was hoping for "a more balanced whistle" in Game 2, which is why the Pacers decided not to send anything in after the first game. They feel otherwise and have now had second thoughts.

"I can promise you that we're going to submit these tonight," Carlisle said after Game 2. "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."

After Game 1, Carlisle became enraged at two things: Aaron Nesmith's kick ball violation and a moving screen call late in the fourth quarter. Officials overturned Isaiah Hartenstein, a center for the Knicks, on a double-dribble in Game 2, which may have given Indiana a crucial final-minute possession.

Carlisle pulled the small-market card at his post-Game 2 press conference, claiming that the Pacers are inferior to a team like the Knicks.

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

The Pacers players, however, disagreed with their coach's viewpoint regarding officiating and the reasons behind their team's 2-0 series deficit.

"Let's not pretend like [officiating] is the only reason we lost; we just didn't play good enough," said forward Tyrese Haliburton. "We just got to be better."

"We love Rick showing that type of energy on the court," said guard T.J. McConnell via the Indy Star. "It's unfortunate that he got ejected, but that's not the feeling we have in the locker room. We're not gonna sit here and blame officials. We gotta be better. It's just that simple. They smashed us on the boards again tonight and just brought more energy than we did. We gotta fix that."

The Pacers' shooting in Game 2 proved a hindrance. They made 51.6% of their shots from the field, 44.1% of their 3-pointers, and 58.8% of their foul shots. Every category was where the Knicks excelled.

In addition, Carlisle must figure out how to contain Jalen Brunson, who left the game in the second quarter due to a foot ailment and came back to score 29 points. McConnell did not play in the last seven minutes of the game because he had no response for the Knicks guard.

At Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, Game 3 will take place.