It wasn’t just because of the intensity of the game brought by Spurs and Clippers, but also because of the heated coach against officiating.
After Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers publicly criticized the officiating in his team’s home playoff loss to San Antonio, the NBA has fined the coach $25,000 Wednesday.
Clippers loss to Spurs, 111-107, led Rivers to slash out at the officials on Tuesday.
Leading the best-of-seven Western Conference, the reigning NBA champion put up a first round series 3-2.
“I don’t complain much,” Rivers said, “but I thought we got some really tough calls tonight. Some brutal calls.”
When Blake Griffin and Matt Barnes was called for traveling and goal-tending respectively, Rivers disagreed.
“You think about the playoffs, and they’re single possession games,” Rivers said. “Those possessions, those were crucial. J.J. (Redick)’s foul that got him out — J.J. didn’t touch anyone. It’s not why we lost, but those were big plays for us.”
Rivers has a raged-on history with referee Bill Kennedy who was also part of the officials during the play.
Rivers and Kennedy were fined in 2009 for an incident after in-game confrontations.
H/T: Inquirer.net
