Kings' Cousins fined $25K for criticizing officials

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- DeMarcus Cousins has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officials after a 95-83 loss to Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The NBA announced the fine Friday.

Cousins was constantly tangled up with Griffin in a matchup of two of the league's budding young big men. He was in foul trouble throughout, finishing with eight points and three rebounds before fouling out in the closing seconds.

Sacramento's second-year big man called Griffin an "actor" and said the league protects last season's Rookie of the Year and slam-dunk champion too much. Griffin had 14 points and nine rebounds, making three shots in the final minutes to lead Los Angeles to the win.

The Clippers host the Kings on Saturday.

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