Doc Rivers Was Pissed

The Clippers lost their third straight, falling 127-122 in two overtimes in Brooklyn, and they had to play the second overtime without coach Doc Rivers, who got an early ticket to the locker room and had to be restrained by his players and assistants after picking up two quick techs.

Rivers walked down the court to argue a foul called by official, Lauren Holtkamp, with whom the Clippers have a little history. It was a long walk for Rivers, nearly in front of the Nets’ bench, and lead official Ken Mauer whistled him for a technical foul. Rivers then blew up at Mauer and got his second tech and the gate.

Rivers:

“I thought it was an awful tech. Honestly, I think you guys know why the tech was called. The official who had nothing to do with the play thought I was yelling at Lauren and I wasn’t. Actually, she said, ‘Doc, you’re right,’ or whatever, ‘Let’s walk back.’ We were walking. We weren’t even arguing. It was the damnedest tech to give at that time.

“What the league is going to do is fall back on is, I crossed half court. You’ll see tomorrow that’s what they’re going to say and we’re all going to know that’s not the reason.”

Ken Mauer, speaking to a pool reporter, explained that Rivers’s first technical was indeed for “crossing over midcourt. That’s automatic.” He said the second technical was for Rivers’s behavior and language.

“Do I need to explain it to you?” Mauer said. “Watch the tape.”

I did! I will again. That’s a good coach meltdown.