NBA: Thibodeau fined for criticizing officials, Knicks Smith, Martin questionable

Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau was slapped with a $35,000 fine by the NBA for criticizing the officials after the Bulls' 104-94 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday (Saturday, PHL time),  league executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson announced on Sunday (Monday, PHL time).

[Related: Heat steal back home court advantage, as dagger triples bury Bulls]

Thibodeau questioned some of the referees' calls against the Bulls in Game Three of the playoff series in Chicago, referring in particular to Chicago's Jimmy Butler guarding Heat star LeBron James and whistles against Nazr Mohammed and Joakim Noah, who received a technical in the first quarter for shoving Miami's Chris Andersen.

"When you play this team, you have to have a lot of mental, physical and emotional toughness," Thibodeau said after the game. "Things aren't going to go your way. That's the way it is. We're not going to get calls. That's the reality. We've still got to find a way to get it done and we can."

Thibodeau also questioned the ejection of Mohammed, the Bulls' backup center, after he shoved James with 9:29 left in the second quarter.

The injury-plagued Bulls trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game Four on Monday in Chicago.

The status of Bulls forward Luol Deng and guard Kirk Hinrich is uncertain for the game.

Deng is still ill and he has become sick the past few days while trying to warm up with teammates.

Hinrich is bothered by a calf injury.

In the other Eastern Conference series, New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith, who played in game three on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) despite a high fever, did not participate in Sunday's (Monday, PHL time) practice.

[Related: Hibbert hits 24 as Pacers pummel Knicks]

Kenyon Martin also missed Sunday's (Monday, PHL time) practice with an illness.

Whether both will play in Tuesday's (Wednesday, PHL time) Game Four of the second-round series against the Indiana Pacers depends on their recovery. - Reuters