Rivers: Officiating in Rockets-Clippers 'a complete joke'

Doc Rivers has a bone to pick with the referees from Thursday's contest between his Los Angles Clippers and the Houston Rockets.

The Clippers bench boss was furious that his players only took eight trips to the charity stripe despite attacking the paint more and inviting more contact than their opponents, who were awarded almost three times as many foul shots.

"I don't say much about officiating," Rivers said following his team's 101-96 loss, as quoted by ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

"They shot 41 threes, we shot 18. We doubled them in the amount of points in the paint. And it was (23)-8 in free throws. That's a joke. That's a complete joke."

The Clippers had 70 points in the paint, while Houston registered 36.

"I thought our guys drove and got hit all game," Rivers said. "Lou (Williams) down the stretch got killed on a play and no call. Austin (Rivers) gets hit and no call. (DeAndre Jordan) gets fouled over the back. ...

"It just doesn't make basketball sense to me."

Rivers noted he hasn't complained about officiating all year, but the infrequency is unlikely to prevent the league office from fining him.

The loss snapped Los Angeles' three-game winning streak and puts the team one game back of a playoff spot.