Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing referee Bill Kennedy after the team's loss to the Bulls on Tuesday night.

"Amazing," Rivers told the Boston Globe in a text message. "What can I say? It reminds me of the song, 'How can something feel so right yet feel so wrong.' "

Kennedy also was fined an undisclosed amount for his conduct toward Rivers, according to an NBA source.

With Boston trailing, 124-119, following a timeout with 29.8 seconds left in the game, Rivers received his second technical foul and was ejected. He claims that he was baited by Kennedy.

"The technical on which I got thrown out was the most unprofessional technical by a ref I've ever had," Rivers said after the game. "He stood there and goaded me and goaded me and stared at me. Look at the film. I actually walked away.

"He asked me, 'Where do you want the ball?' And I said, 'Ask them,' talking about my players. That's my right to say that. He stood there and stared me down and stared me down and goaded me until I turned around and said, 'What?' That's when I got thrown out of the game. In a [5-point] game? Think about that."

Via Boston Globe

Boston Celtics

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