Controversial referee Scott Foster officiating Warriors-Rockets Game 2

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Programming note: Watch the pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders tonight at 6, streaming live on the MyTeams app.

Scott Foster is one of the officials for tonight's Game 2 between the Warriors and Rockets.

"Scott Foster, man. I never really talk about officiating or anything like that -- but just rude and arrogant," Harden told reporters after Houston's loss to the Lakers on Feb. 21. "You aren't able to talk to him throughout the course of a game. How do you improve that relationship with officials?

"It's just who he is on that floor. It's pretty frustrating. I'm probably gonna get hit (with a fine), but it's one of those things where you can't voice your opinion, you can't have a conversation with somebody that's officiating a game.

"For sure it's personal. For sure. I don't think he should be able to officiate our games anymore, honestly."

In case you forgot, Foster officiated Games 1 and 7 of last year's Western Conference Finals. The Warriors won both of those contests in Houston. No big deal, right?

Wrong.

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As we learned on Monday, the Rockets believe the referees heavily favored Golden State in that series.

As ESPN's Zach Lowe reported, Houston audited Game 7 and determined there were 81 combined total calls, non-calls and/or violations that cost them nearly 19 points.

The Rockets even created a memo outlining their frustrations.

Houston recommended adding a fourth on-court referee, and that the league make full-game officiating reports available to every team for every game. They also claim a trip to the Finals would have netted at least $20 million in additional revenue.

The Rockets also argue in their memo that veteran officials "exhibit the most bias against our players."

[RELATEDLast Two Minute Report: Three incorrect calls favored Dubs]

So when Harden says it's personal with Foster, he absolutely means it.

Things just might get very, very interesting at Oracle Arena tonight.

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