Chris Paul Was Hit With a Technical For Throwing the Ball to a Referee Late in Game 5

Chris Paul does not get many technical fouls, despite a having a penchant for outbursts. During Game 5 against the Spurs, CP3 was given a technical with fewer than five minutes remaining in a one-possession game after he threw the basketball to a referee. Why? During the regular season, he was called for five technicals which was tied for the 40th-most in the league and fifth-most* on his team. Yet, in the most important game of the season, he’s given one for a chest pass?

This was the second time this season that Paul was called for a technical for an incident that involved giving the ball to a referee. The first one came in a blowout loss to the Cavs, this one came with the season on the line. Tuesday’s tech resulted in a Danny Green free throw. The Spurs won by 4 and now lead the series, 3-2, headed back to San Antonio on Thursday.

*Matt Barnes (13), Blake Griffin (12), DeAndre Jordan (9), and Spencer Hawes (6**) all had more technical fouls than CP3 this season. The Clippers are either the biggest collection of whiners in the league or the officials really are screwing them. This could be one of those “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you” things.

**Spencer Hawes had six techs this season? How? Only Kendrick Perkins had more in fewer minutes.