Via Rachel Shuster of USA TODAY:
After the first week of the NBA preseason, there is a decided difference in the officiating by the league’s replacement referees.Games are taking longer, in part because the fouls called and free throws attempted are the most in at least the last three preseasons the NBA’s regular referees were working.
Compared to the first 21 games last preseason, fouls called are up 15.5%, free throws attempted are up 18.9% and games are taking six minutes longer.
Coincidentally or not, home teams had won 16 of the first 21 games (76%) through Wednesday. Over the past three preseasons, road teams won 57% (2006), 48% (2007) and 62% (2008) of the games.
