NEW YORK (Reuters) - Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was fined $35,000 for criticizing the officiating after his team lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the opening game of their playoff series, the NBA said on Monday.
Following the Mavericks' 89-81 win on Saturday, McMillan questioned the 29-13 edge in free throws that Dallas enjoyed, including a 19-2 edge in the final quarter.
"Our guys didn't know how to play with the fouls being called ... a lot of touch fouls," McMillan said after the game. "It's hard for our guys to know how to play out there when it's called a little different."
When asked about the fine on Monday McMillan said he was surprised because he did not feel he directed his comments at game officials.
The best-of-seven games series resumes Tuesday in Dallas.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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