Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson has been fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of a game official during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Miami Heat, the NBA announced on Friday. He did not receive a suspension.
NBA Playoffs 2013: Bulls’ Taj Gibson fined for verbal abuse of an official
Gibson won’t miss any time, though, as only the fine was handed down.
Gibson was ejected in the fourth quarter of the 37-point blowout loss, along with teammate Joakim Noah, after arguing with referees. Scott Foster ejected both players, and Gibson had to be restrained by assistant coaches and escorted to the locker room after being tossed from the contest.
The situation escalated after Chris Andersen blocked a hook shot by Gibson in the lane. The Bulls' forward wanted a goaltending call, but he didn't get it. Then he and Noah started to work the officials a bit and were hit with technicals. Noah was not fined for his role in the dispute.
For more on this series, visit: Blog a Bull Hot Hot Hoops
Game 2 featured 51 fouls, nine technicals, two ejections and two flagrant-one foul calls -- as Mario Chalmers' neck grab on Joakim Noah was upgraded to a flagrant-one after the game. Things could get very interesting in Game 3 if both teams play with the same type of intensity:
Joey Crawford is one of the officials for Game 3. Giddyup. #Bulls #Heat
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 10, 2013
Tom Thibodeau already laid the groundwork for a discussion on the officiating, as he told reporters that he knows the Bulls "are not going to get calls." The numbers and splits in the series don't exactly back him up, but the crowd at the United Center won't necessarily be looking for fair and equitable decisions.
Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich have all been ruled out for the game. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN.
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