Pacers' Carlisle fined $35K for criticizing refs
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle received a $35,000 fine for criticizing referees and "questioning the integrity" of the NBA and officials, the league announced Friday.
After the Pacers fell behind 2-0 to the New York Knicks in their second-round series Wednesday, Carlisle said during his postgame press conference that smaller-market teams like the Pacers "deserve an equal shot." Referees ejected Carlisle in the final seconds of Game 2 for arguing with them.
The Pacers have sent 78 instances of incorrect or non-calls - 49 from Game 2 and 29 from Game 1 - to the league office for review, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Refs called Indiana for three more fouls than New York in Wednesday's matchup. The Knicks also attempted five more free throws than the Pacers in the contest.