Pacers’ Rick Carlisle fined $35K for criticizing officials

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35K by the NBA for public criticism of the officiating, as well as questioning the integrity of the league and its officials, the league’s communications department tweeted.

Carlisle was ejected late in the fourth quarter of the team’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday. He then criticized the officiating in both games of the series, claiming that “small-market teams” don’t get the same calls as the big-market clubs.

“I’m always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials,” Carlisle said. “But we deserve a fair shot. There’s not a consistent balance, and that’s disappointing. Give New York credit for the physicality that they’re playing with. But their physicality is rewarded and ours is penalized. Time after time. I’m just really disappointed.”

The Pacers submitted 78 plays to the league on Thursday, covering the first two games, that they felt were incorrectly called.