NBA fines Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle for criticizing officials

The NBA fined Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle $35,000 on Friday for criticizing officials and "questioning the integrity of the league" in his calls for justice for small-market teams. Carlisle's comments came following the Pacers' 130-121 defeat to the New York Knicks on Wednesday. 

According to ESPN India, "Rick's saying whatever he feels. It has nothing to do with us at the end of the day. I think it's pretty disrespectful to us," Hart said after the shootaround Friday morning. "Because at the end of the day, we're out there playing and competing at a high level. It's not about officiating. It's not about anything like that."

He was penalized for two technical fouls and dismissed late in the game, as Indiana Pacers fell behind 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Carlisle complained about a series of missed calls, which the Pacers later submitted to the NBA for review, and inferred a bias in favor of New York.

He believed that they changed thier views

The Pacers forwarded 78 plays from the first two games that they thought were called wrongly to the NBA headquarters for review on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the situation. The individual talked with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because neither the Pacers nor the NBA has verified that the plays were transmitted. 

Carlisle stated that the Pacers identified 29 plays that they believed were erroneous in Game 1 — officials had previously recognized one of them on a kicked ball infraction that they claimed was ruled wrongly — implying 49 more in Game 2. Those contested plays were then reported to the league. The Pacers decided not to put anything in after Game 1 because Carlisle hoped for "a more balanced whistle" in Game 2. They believe they did not, and have changed their views. 

Indian Pacers host Game 3 against New York Knicks on Friday night.