Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson was fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of a game official, Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations, announced hours before Game 3 of a physical series with the Miami Heat.
The incident occurred with 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 115-78 loss Wednesday.
Following a foul by Bulls point guard Marquis Teague on Ray Allen with 10:13 left in the game, Joakim Noah walked onto the court to argue the call, resulting in his second technical foul. With Allen at the free-throw line, Gibson continued to protest, earning two technicals.
“I just wanted to let the referee know how I felt about the game,” Noah said, “but I guess I deserved to get kicked out. We didn’t play well, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s 1-1. It’s going to be a big Game 3 in Chicago.”
The intensity level was high from the outset in a game the Heat led by as many as 46 points. Dwayne Wade drew a technical in the opening minute of the game, and the Bulls “lost focus” according to coach Tom Thibodeau.