NEW YORK, April 27 (UPI) -- The NBA fined veteran Indiana Pacers center/forward Jermaine O'Neal $15,000 Thursday for public criticism of officials.
O'Neal blasted the officiating crew after Indiana's 90-75 loss to New Jersey on Tuesday in Game Two of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
"When you pick up fouls the way they've been giving them, to me that's a little bit frustrating, especially on a night like tonight without (Peja) Stojakovic," O'Neal said after the contest. "I don't understand it. It's hard as a post player, it's hard to play when they (the officials) honor flops. I am not going to take anything away from Jersey. They played well, they played hard and they responded in a big way. For a couple of reasons we didn't respond back, either because of foul trouble or guys being out."
The series is tied at 1-1. Game Three is scheduled for Saturday at Indianapolis.
