Three NBA coaches were fined on Tuesday for publicly criticizing referees during the NBA playoffs.

Houston's Rick Adelman, Portland's Nate McMillan and Boston's Doc Rivers all were penalized 25,000 U.S. dollars.

Adelman and McMillan are facing each other in a first-round series that Houston leads 3-1. Both coaches were fined for comments after Houston victories.

Rivers was assessed a fine for comments made after a 121-118 loss to Chicago in two overtimes that tied their series at 2-2.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2009)