Pacers players, coaches refuse to talk about officiating in Nuggets' loss

In an Eastern Conference playoff race where four teams are separated by 2.5 games, the Pacers' dramatic loss to the Nuggets on Monday night could have ramifications all season long.

See Indy Cornrows for a full recap of the game.

With the score tied 101-101, Andre Iguodala bumped Paul George on a drive, forcing a turnover and giving Denver the ball with 0.5 seconds left. Then, as the Nuggets were inbounding the ball, George and Iguodala got tangled up near the rim, allowing Iguodala to win the game at the free-throw line.

There was contact on both plays, but referees are usually more consistent with how they're calling contact in late-game situations.

Afterwards, the Pacers coaches and players made a point of not commenting about the officiating (courtesy of the Indianapolis Star):

"It’s better that I stay quiet tonight," George said.

"I have nothing to say about the calls," head coach Frank Vogel said.

Roy Hibbert repeated several times, "I have nothing to say about the last two sequences on offense and defense."

On their Twitter feeds, David West and Pacers VP Kevin Pritchard said it all:

WOW!

— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) January 29, 2013

Rodney Dangerfield...

— David West (@D_West30) January 29, 2013

After losing three straight road games, Indiana will have to get themselves back together before a homestand with games against Chicago, Miami and Atlanta.