Chris Paul's biggest obstacle in Tuesday's Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans may not be the actual opponent, but referee Scott Foster. Only half joking.
If you know, you know.
If you don't, let me introduce you to arguably the strangest betting trend in the NBA: Paul's teams are 0-13 straight-up in the last 13 games Foster has officiated.
Across that span, the CP3's went 0-3 with the Suns, 0-1 with the Thunder, 0-4 with the Rockets and 0-5 with the Clippers.
Paul's actually aware of the narrative.
In last year's first-round playoff loss to the Lakers — a game refereed by Foster — the Suns finished with 12 fewer free-throw attempts. Paul alluded to the disparity following the game, while also noting his record with Foster on the court.
“They’re shooting a lot of free throws," Paul said. "Last night, tonight. If I was a betting man — 11 in a row. Eleven games in a row. Eleven games in a row.”
"If I was a betting man, 11 games in a row."@CP3 has now lost 11 consecutive playoff games straight up officiated by Scott Foster…😬
Suns: 0-1
Thunder: 0-1
Rockets: 0-4
Clippers: 0-5(via @anthonyVslater)pic.twitter.com/MB6aHMc35e
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 28, 2021
Foster was in stripes last year during Phoenix's 20-point, Game 3 loss to Milwaukee in the Finals, then once more in the Game 6 Bucks' title win.
For Paul's sake, he has as good a chance as ever to get a little redemption Tuesday: He and the Suns are laying 9.5 points to New Orleans, after thumping the Pels by 11 in the playoff opener.
