NEW YORK — The NBA fined three coaches 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.

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

Rivers was assessed a fine for comments made after Game 4, a 121-118 loss to Chicago in two overtimes that tied their series at 2.

Before Tuesday night's fifth game in Boston, Rivers said he was surprised by the fine but "I'm more concerned about the game than I am about that."