NBA slaps Raptors’ Casey with $25,000 fine for criticizing refs

Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. AP

The Raptors managed to end the Cavaliers’ unbeaten playoff streak on Sunday, but their head coach Dwane Casey remained critical about the officiating after their game 3 triumph.

READ: NBA: Raptors snap Cavaliers playoff win streak at 10

Citing sports-media website Bleacher Report, Casey’s vocal displeasure will set him back a hefty $25,000 (PHP 1,168,887), after the league reviewed several of his referee-related comments during the post-game media conference.

The 59-year-old who’s normally one to bite his tongue, was uncharacteristically vulgar—even when responding to questions that had nothing to do with the game’s officiating.

Specifically, Casey’s tirade was focused on the fact that his team didn’t shoot any free throws during game 3’s fourth quarter, and that his center, Bismarck Biyombo, did not get calls despite getting fouled repeatedly under the boards.

The Raptors’ mentor also pointed out that the Cavs own a 86-51 free-throw advantage through the first three games of the Eastern Conference finals.

Casey, however, did compliment NBA officiating as a whole, while saying he understands the difficulty of officiating the game, but his remark that some of the calls thus far have been ‘unbelievable’ have surely made a lasting impression to the NBA’s executives.

Game 4 between Cleveland and Toronto will take place on Tuesday, March 24, inside the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Casey’s team currently trail in the best of seven NBA Eastern Conference Finals series, 2-1. Khristian Ibarrola