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Malika AndrewsESPN
MILWAUKEE — Pistons coach Dwane Casey had some strong words for referee Karl Lane after Detroit’s 121-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on New Year’s Day at Fiserv Forum.
In the final minute of the game, Pistons guard Langston Galloway fell to the floor clutching his face after being struck by a Thon Maker elbow while on defense. No foul was called, and Galloway remained down as the Bucks scored, forcing the Pistons to call a timeout. Galloway was examined by trainers and subbed out of the game with 23.9 seconds left.
Casey wanted the play reviewed. After the final buzzer, he continued to shout at Lane for several seconds and had to be physically held back by referee Eric Lewis.
“I got a good look at it,” Casey said of the play after the game. “I haven’t seen [the replay] yet, but I thought [Galloway] was elbowed in the eye, and I was trying to get the officials to review it. Karl Lane yelled at me, ‘Well, turn it in then!’ And that is not the way our league should be presented. I was just saying, ‘Hey, look at it. Turn it in.'”
Casey continued: “We got our butts spanked, but show us some respect. I have been in this league a long time — a lot longer than he has — and seen a lot. So I have the right to tell him to at least look at it and see what it was. I have the right to ask him to look at it.”
Galloway finished scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting with three assists. Maker had three points and five rebounds.
The Pistons have lost three straight. They won just four games in December and continue to be plagued with injury. The team has been without Ish Smith, who tore his right adductor, since Dec. 7. They were also without Stanley Johnson, who suffered a left leg contusion against the Orlando Magic.