NEW YORK.- The bases of the Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennardwere fined on Monday for the NBA for criticizing the officiating after a playoff loss in Houston, the league announced.
Smart was fined $35,000 for questioning the integrity of the match officials. The player complained to the magistrate James Williams for expulsions considered unnecessary.
Kennard was fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward referees.
Both incidents occurred Sunday after Houston’s 115-96 victory over Los Angeles, a result that left the Rockets 3-1 up in the first round series of the Western Conference best of seven games.
The Lakers can advance to the second round with a home win over the Rockets on Wednesday.
Houston avoided elimination, but must win on Wednesday to force a Game 6 on Friday in Houston.
A decisive seventh match, if necessary, would be played on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Thunder complete sweep
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the current champion, Oklahoma City Thunderqualified for the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday by beating the Phoenix Suns in his court.
The top-seeded Thunder won the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round tie 4-0, earning their third consecutive sweep in the opening round.
“We just went out there prepared,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We love playing basketball, we are a group full of great kids who have fun together.”
Oklahoma City will face either the Lakers or the Rockets in the second round series. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.
“Ultimately we have to improve in the days between us and our next opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
The Thunder became the first team to reach the second round on the same night the surprising Orlando Magic They left the first seed in the Eastern Conference on the brink of elimination, Detroit Pistonswith a 94-88 victory that gave them a 3-1 lead in the series.
