Barton flew into Wang Yi, but Wang Yi didn't budge. Barton was the one who went flying.
The referee took one look and immediately called Barton for a charging foul.
Barton spread his hands. "What?"
I'm the one who got knocked down, and you're calling a foul on me?
In most past games, the referees probably wouldn't have called anything in a situation like this.
Barton had definitely run into Wang Yi, but Wang Yi had landed firmly on his feet and didn't look as though he'd been fouled at all.
To keep the game flowing, referees usually let it go.
Even when they did call a foul, they'd sometimes call one on Wang Yi.
After all, Barton was the one who'd fallen.
But today, Xiao Hua had instructed the referees to give the Kings a little help.
The gap in strength between the two teams was simply too large. If the Lakers were allowed to steamroll the Kings and take a 3–0 lead, the series would very likely end 4–0 or 4–1.
To keep the outcome in doubt for another game or two, the referees naturally had to give the Lakers a little help.
Still, this call was fair enough. It wasn't as if they were heavily favoring the Kings.
The Kings took possession and went on offense.
Wang Yi went straight to the low post and called for the ball.
The Lakers stuck to the defensive strategy their coach had devised for Wang Yi: let him play one-on-one and don't double-team him.
No matter how efficient Wang Yi was, his stamina was a major concern. How many points could he really score?
So Wang Yi got the ball easily on the right low block.
Barton was guarding him.
Wang Yi grinned.
Having this guy guard him was practically