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Doc Rivers addresses the four technicals given during Clippers-Wolves game

By Farbod Esnaashari

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers coaches against the Sacramento Kings on January 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers coaches against the Sacramento Kings on January 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The closing minutes of the Clippers vs Timberwolves game was a bizarre scene. Within 4 minutes, four different members of the Clippers roster received technical fouls.

One after another, the referees continued blowing the whistle. The audience started finding it comical at the end of it all.

To set the stage, the Clippers were becoming visibly frustrated that they didn’t receive any calls. Minnesota shot 17 more free throws than Los Angeles, and Jeff Teague nearly shot more than the entire Clipper team by himself.

It’s not often you see a team shoot 56% from the field, have 31 assists, and lose a game. When you add all of that up, you can see why the Clippers became frustrated at the end of the game.

During a post-game press conference, Doc Rivers addressed why all the Clippers received their 4 technicals.

"“I literally got thrown out of the game for saying ‘you guys are giving us some tough calls.’ Sam got a tech for saying 3 seconds. Blake got a tech for saying over the back. One ref told me I couldn’t talk.”"

There has been a growing frustration between the players and the referees this season, and moments like these show you why. The NBPA recently had a meeting with the referees in hopes to address these concerns. However, it does seem like another one may be needed.

Blake Griffin spoke about the officiating post-game as well:

While Blake lamented the fact that he was the first person to receive a technical, you could tell he was holding back. He hinted there was a reason why there’s been so much tension between the officials and players this season.

The officiating isn’t the reason why the Clippers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers lost the game due to poor execution down the stretch, and from allowing the Wolves to secure so many offensive rebounds. However, an official can’t tell an NBA coach “you can’t talk.” Hopefully when this season ends, we’ll see an amicable solution between the two parties.

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