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NBA pulls out its most-trusted trick for Game 3 with Lakers down 0-2

Jason Reed|
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 18: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 123-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 18: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 123-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night in what is the most important game of the season thus far. Los Angeles trails 0-2 in the series after two games in Denver and needs to remain unbeaten at home in the playoffs.

A loss on Saturday night would all but ensure that the Lakers would fail to advance to the NBA Finals as no NBA team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit. A win certainly gives the Lakers a chance, especially with Game 4 at home on Monday.

Some would argue that the NBA would benefit from the Lakers making it to the NBA Finals because of the market size compared to Denver. The same argument can be made for the series as a whole; the league would be hurt if fans checked out of the series with LA down 0-3 in the series.

It would be beneficial for the league if this series goes longer and if the Lakers win, which makes Game 3’s referee choice all the more interesting. Leading the charge for the officials on Saturday night is none other than Scott Foster.

NBA sends out “the extender” as the Lakers trail 0-2 against the Nuggets.

Scott Foster is one of the most polarizing referees in the NBA and he has earned a nickname that Lakers fans will love for this specific series. Foster is often referred to as “the extender” by fans due to some controversial calls he has made in the past that resulted in a series going longer than expected.

Obviously, NBA refs are meant to officiate the game down the middle and do so on a nightly basis, but history indicates that the Lakers should be happy with this assignment as the home team that desperately needs to win the game.

Los Angeles went 4-1 in games that Foster officiated in the regular season while the Nuggets went 3-2. Historically, the Lakers are 15-9 in playoff games that Foster has officiated, which is the third-best record for any team in Foster-officiated games in the playoffs. The Nuggets, meanwhile, have the fifth-worst record at 6-10.

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