The NBA fined Bulls forward Taj Gibson $25,000 for his tirade at officials after getting ejected in Game 2's blowout loss to the Miami Heat.
Gibson's ejection came early in the fourth quarter with the Bulls down 94-56. He received his first technical when he began arguing with an official after teammate Joakim Noah was ejected. Already frustrated from two earlier no-calls, Gibson kept mouthing off - he immediately got his second technical and an automatic ejection.
The ejection set the 27-year-old off. He began spewing obscenities at the officials, which earned him the $25,000 fine.
"I hope they just see that it was frustration," Gibson said after the game. "I have a good accord with (referee) Scott (Foster). It's one of those games that's chippy; it's playoff basketball, words are going to be said. I don't mean any harm to Scott. He's a good referee sometimes. Just got to keep pushing and move forward. I should have ended it a better way, and conducted myself in a better way and just walked away. It's just frustration."
Miami frustrated Chicago all night. The Bulls had six technical fouls and two ejections in their 115-78 loss. Game 2 was the worst playoff loss in Bulls team history.
The series is tied, 1-1.
Miami visits Chicago on Friday for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
