NBA fines Jason Kidd

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd has been fined $10,000 by the NBA for verbally abusing and publicly criticizing game officials.

His criticism came following Wednesday's 96-93 loss to Memphis.

Kidd exploded after failing to draw a foul on a drive to the basket in the closing seconds. He initiated contact with Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift, but received no call and his shot sailed out of bounds.

"I thought I did everything possible to go to the free-throw line," Kidd said after the game. "Unfortunately, the referees didn't think so. They didn't think it was a foul, and that was pretty much the game."

Kidd went on to criticize the officiating crew of Mike Callahan, Gary Zielinski, and Violet Palmer.

"That crew, nothing surprises me with that crew,"" he said. "That crew is that crew, and they were great."

The two-time defending Eastern Conference champions have lost four straight games, six of eight at home, and 11 of 18 overall to start the season.