National Basketball Association

Shaq hit with $35K fine for ref comments

Published Dec. 27, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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The NBA announced Monday that Boston Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal has been fined $35,000 for comments he made about the officiating in the Celtics’ 86-78 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Shaq blasted the "control freak" officials when he fouled out after playing only 13 minutes.

O'Neal, past his prime now but considered one of the NBA's finest centers ever, was charged up to play the Magic’s Dwight Howard, who is now the game's best in the position.

"If I was a fan, I would be p*ssed,” Shaq said after the loss. “You pay all that money for good seats and you have two of the best guys in the country sitting on the bench. That's what happens when you have control freaks out there.''

Howard's minutes in the game were limited by foul trouble, as well.

O'Neal then singled out veteran official Bob Delaney, who wears the No. 26.

"I guess [fans] come out to see No. 26 play," O'Neal said.

"He was a great player out there [Saturday]. They paid all that money to see No. 26 come play.

"My thing is, if you're going to call it, call it the same way every time. Don't pick and choose who you are going to call it against."

Howard was restricted to six points in the win, shooting just one from four from the field in his 33 minutes.

O'Neal had only two points, one rebound, a block and a steal in his limited time.

Orlando's win snapped Boston's 14-game winning streak.
 

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