The Los Angeles Clippers continued their recent hot streak by defeating the surging Golden State Warriors 130-125 during Wednesday’s NBA action. They did so by coming back from a sizable deficit and outscoring Stephen Curry and crew 44-28 in the fourth quarter to end Golden State’s five-game winning streak.
Still, the Clippers were whining and complaining afterward, in particular their head coach Tyronn Lue.
Lue was caught on video accusing the referees of “cheating,” and the video went viral on social media.
The NBA responded by fining Lue $35,000, per ESPN.
“LA Clippers coach Ty Lue was fined $35,000 by the NBA after he was shown on video claiming the officials were ‘cheating’ after Wednesday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.”
“The NBA said Lue was fined for ‘public criticism of the officiating and for questioning the integrity of game officials’ in a statement released Friday.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors Updates
Lue was assessed two technical fouls at different times in the fourth quarter. His second technical foul was given to him after L.A. big man Mason Plumlee committed a hard foul on Brandin Podziemski. Plumnee was called for a flagrant 1 foul, while Lue was given his second technical, which resulted in his ejection.
For many years, there have been many conspiracy theories surrounding NBA referees. But other than circumstantial evidence, no one has been able to conclusively prove that there is any plot or scheme to favor certain teams or individuals over others.
In some ways, the Clippers had little to complain about regarding this game. Not only did they win, but they shot 37 free throws compared to just 18 for the Warriors.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors Updates
They’re now 36-17, and they headed into the All-Star break with the third-best record in the Western Conference. They’re just half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are in second place in the West, and two games behind the first-place Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, Golden State is 27-26, and while plenty of people still feel it can make a real run after the All-Star break, every inexcusable loss such as the one it suffered to L.A. puts it one step closer to missing the play-in tournament.
