The playoffs don’t just get players fired up. They have the save effect on coaches as well. Just ask Portland head coach, Nate McMillan who was just fined $35,000 after criticizing the officiating during his team’s Game 1 loss to Dallas…
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was fined $35,000 for public comments on the officiating after Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA announced Monday.
During his postgame press conference, McMillan questioned why there was such a large free throw disparity in Dallas’ favor. The Mavericks shot 29 free throws, compared to 13 for the Trail Blazers. Dallas had a 19-2 edge in free throws during the fourth quarter, when Dirk Nowitzki was 13-of-13 from the line.
“The free throws, I just don’t get that,” McMillan said. “It’s hard for our guys to know how to play out there when it’s called a little different; 19 to two in the fourth quarter. And I felt like we were attacking, and guys really didn’t know how to play with the fouls that were being called. A lot of touch fouls. I thought that took the momentum away and pretty much gave them control in the game.”
McMillan pointed out that Portland shot far fewer free throws despite having a major advantage in points in the paint (46-18).
Read more about McMillan’s reaction to the officiating via ESPN.
