Nick Nurse rips officiating in loss to Jazz: 'Every possession was free throws'

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse ripped into the officials following his team's 115-112 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday evening.

Utah held a 41-14 advantage in free throws, and Nurse indicated that the disparity was the reason why his team lost their seventh consecutive game.

"Outplayed them all over the place. Hard one to win. It just didn't seem like they were gonna let us win tonight," Nurse told reporters post-game.

"A lot of calls, man. Every possession was free throws. We were twice the aggressor."

It's always difficult to assign blame to the officiating, especially in a tight game but Nurse may have a point. Chris Black, a sports television producer, noted that the 27-foul disparity was the second-largest margin of the 2020-21 season.

Raptors guard Kyle Lowry appeared to echo his coach's sentiments.

"I mean I've got too many techs this year, I'm cool. But it's not the first time this year," Lowry said via TSN's Josh Lewenberg.

Toronto is still working its way into top form, as a COVID-19 outbreak affected several members of the team, including Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. Nurse previously spoke this week about managing expectations for the returning members, while pointing out the team's defensive shortcomings.

It's a tough night for Nurse and the Raptors, who would've loved to end their losing streak against the Western Conference-leading Jazz. Until then, the Raptors will have to contemplate what could've been until Sunday, when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

More coverage from Yahoo Sports