Sunday, October 25, 2026

FINAL · HOW THE WHISTLE WENT

• LAL 132 · UTA 123

  “We called this crew average. Average my f***. Fifty-seven fouls, Jaren Jackson Jr. at five and still scoring 20, and the Lakers went into Utah and won 132-123. I missed this one worse than a rookie at the line.”

  Whistle: 54.9 fouls per 100 possessions, 9.7 over average. Crew read before tip: average, and it missed.

• IND 136 · BKN 109

  “Average crew, average whistle, and my read held up, which I'll say loud. Siakam picked up three fouls and still scored 21, so the stripes weren't the story. Brooklyn hosted Indiana and still lost the house.”

  Whistle: 46.0 fouls per 100 possessions, 0.8 over average. Crew read before tip: average, and it held.

• ORL 111 · NYK 102

  “Quiet whistle, 46 fouls, and the average read held up like a good tuxedo. Orlando walked into New York's building and won 111-102 anyway. Anunoby picked up four fouls and still scored 22, so New York's defence was the one in trouble.”

  Whistle: 43.6 fouls per 100 possessions, 1.5 under average. Crew read before tip: average, and it held.

• TOR 94 · MIN 117

  “We called this crew busy. Forty-six fouls is an average night, so the only thing that got thrown out was my read. Edwards picked up four fouls and still dropped 26, and I'm the one who needs a timeout.”

  Whistle: 44.6 fouls per 100 possessions, 0.6 under average. Crew read before tip: busy, and it missed.

• LAC 101 · OKC 108

  “Called this crew average and I was wrong, loud and in writing. Oklahoma City beat the Clippers 108 to 101 at home, and the stripes were so quiet you'd think I'd sent them to the library. Next time I read the whistle, then check the rear-view mirror.”

  Whistle: 33.5 fouls per 100 possessions, 11.7 under average. Crew read before tip: average, and it missed.

• DET 106 · PHI 93

  “Quiet crew, I said. Forty-two fouls later, I'm the one getting whistled. Detroit went into Philly's building and won anyway, so my read is a s*** sandwich and I'm eating it.”

  Whistle: 41.6 fouls per 100 possessions, 3.6 under average. Crew read before tip: average, and it missed.

• MEM 123 · SAC 112

  “Memphis walked into Sacramento's building and walked out with the win. The crew was average, just like we said. Sabonis got five fouls and fifteen points, which is the most expensive way to lose a seat I've ever seen.”

  Whistle: 47.2 fouls per 100 possessions, 2.0 over average. Crew read before tip: average, and it held.