NZ Breakers coach Kevin Braswell has lost patience with NBL referees, lashing out at the lop-sided foul count in every game involving his team this season.
Weeks of frustration finally told on the rookie coach after the Breakers went down 108-101 to Melbourne United in Invercargill on Friday, the fourth loss in eight games for the Kiwi club.
While he wouldn't begrudge the defending champions their win, Braswell can't reconcile the foul count going heavily against his team for the eighth successive game.
Melbourne went to the stripe 24 times to the Breakers' 14, nearly mirroring the season average of 21-13.
The discrepancy hit a nadir in Perth two weeks ago when the Wildcats earned 21 free throws and the Breakers just three.
"We constantly shoot less free-throws than every team in the league," Braswell said.
"Every time I look up, a team is shooting 20-plus free throws. You can't tell me the same thing's not happenng at both ends.
"It's getting to the point now where the frustration is just building to another level.
"I just think with us, sometimes we're hard done by. Certain calls don't go our way."
It remains to be seen if Braswell's comments attract NBL judicial attention.
The former Breakers guard closed the post-game media conference by proclaiming: "I hope they fine me".
His mood wasn't aided by an offensive drop-off from his team in the closing stages after they led 57-51 at halftime.
Melbourne United, steered by two former Breakers head coaches in Dean Vickerman and Paul Henare, won the tactical battle by stationing DJ Kennedy to mark prolific shooter Corey Webster in the second half.
Webster's production reduced in a 31-point haul while Melbourne stars Josh Boone (26 points) and Casper Ware (24) kept scoring.
Both teams are in action on Sunday, with Melbourne home to Brisbane and the Breakers away to the Sydney Kings.
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