Donovan Mitchell sends harsh message to referees after questionable calls

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now down 1-0 against the Detroit Pistons. Of course, the Pistons were the #1 seed, but the Cavaliers could have taken control of the series. Unfortunately for the Cavs, the Pistons drew first blood with a 111-101 win.

Cavs star Donovan Mitchell had a decent performance, scoring 23 points. However, he had some pointed comments about the referees and how he only earned two trips to the charity stripe in Game 1.

Donovan Mitchell puts the referees on blast for their questionable officiating

Mitchell is one of the league's best slashers, as he loves taking advantage of his speed and athleticism to slash into the paint. With that kind of play style, it usually leads to him drawing fouls.

Unfortunately for Mitchell, he did not get his wishes because he only went to the line twice in Game 1. Considering he felt the referees did not do a good job, he made sure to point it out in his post-game press conference.

MORE: Kenny Atkinson was unhappy with how the Cavaliers lacked energy in Game 1

Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown was recently fined for comments about the referees he made on his Twitch live stream. It seems Mitchell is willing to get a fine as well because he is making comments about what happened in Game 1.

"The free-throw disparity is not why we lost... A friend of mine got fined for talking about flop, so I won't double down. I feel like that's what I gotta do at this point. I'm trying to get to the bucket. I'm just not getting the calls. I don't know why. I don't flop, maybe that's why," Mitchell said after Game 1 about the refs.

Ahead of Game 2, these comments could influence the free-throw disparity. Mitchell will want to keep driving into the paint to score layups or dunks, but also draw fouls. It will depend on what happens in Game 2, but he will certainly do his best.

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