Jackson, Lakers fined for public complaint

NEW YORK, May 26 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA Tuesday for publicly criticizing referees.

The remarks, which also cost the Lakers $25,000, followed Monday's 120-101 loss at Denver in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

The Nuggets made 37-of-49 free throws in the game, while the Lakers went 24-of-35 at the line. Afterward, Jackson said he was upset when LA's Luke Walton came across the lane and got hit in the throat by an elbow from Nene of the Nuggets.

Jackson said Walton given a technical foul after complaining about the hit.

"That kind of disparity we don't like in ball games," said Jackson during his post-game news conference. "That's not equal refereeing, and those are the things that change the course of games. We want the game to be fair and evenly played."