Washington Wizards Coach Wes Unseld Jr. Questions Free Throw Disparity 'Tough to Overcome'

The Washington Wizards lost 131-126 to the Philadelphia 76ers in a highly contested game marred by a large free throw disparity.

There were eight free throws attempted by the Washington Wizards last night, which was their lowest amount in a game all year.

The Wizards normally get to the line 20.7 times a game.

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While Washington opponents shoot 24 free throws a game. 

Now, the Philadelphia 76ers are one of the league's best at getting to the stripe averaging 27.9 attempts a game but they're also letting opponents get to the line 23.7 times a game.

These stats show there was nothing normal about the free throw disparity between the two teams last night.

"What made the difference was the free throws," Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said postgame. "34-8 it's tough to overcome. I know they're good, I know Embiid gets them but our top three drivers Deni (Avdija), Jordan (Poole), (and) Kuz (Kyle Kuzma), zero."

Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. looks on from the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The stars in the NBA are going to get calls, and reigning MVP Joel Embiid is not an exception to that.

Embiid leads the league in free throw attempts averaging 11.8 per game.

Last night Embiid had 13 attempts which is five more than the entire Washington team had.

His seven-foot frame is very difficult to handle and puts pressure on any defense.

"It's a tough pill," Unseld continued. "For a team (76ers) we know they're top six in fouls per game, (and) were eight in the league in rim attempts. There is a disparity there, that's a problem."

Not only did the foul calls hurt in the free throw disparity but it also sent Washington's best rim defender to the bench early in center Daniel Gafford.

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Gafford fouled out with 1:58 to go in the game when it was still only a three-point Philadelphia lead.

The numbers say the referees were one-sided and its obvious Unseld felt the same way, but with the NBA fining coaches up to 20 thousand dollars in the past he made sure not to call any officials out directly.

It's frustrating to lose like this when it's already an uphill climb to win.

Hopefully next week when the Wizards travel to Philadelphia the referees take note of the points Unseld brought up and it will be a more evenly officiated game.

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