Celtics' Brown: Refs threatening techs is 'bullshit'

Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown was not happy with the referees following Thursday's 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was assessed a technical foul by referee Justin Van Duyne in the fourth quarter for arguing a jump ball call. Brown defended his coach and, as a result, picked up a technical foul of his own.

"You wanna fine people for gestures and all this stuff, fine that," Brown said, according to the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn. "That's some bullshit ... that affects the game. That could have been avoided, Joe didn't say anything to deserve a tech."

Brown said he told an official that he called a tech for no reason before the official threatened the 28-year-old with a technical if he said that again. Brown then repeated himself and, sure enough, received a technical foul.

"You can't threaten guys with a technical foul," Brown said. "That's not part of the game either."

The Bulls turned a three-point lead into an eight-point lead with less than five minutes remaining as a result of the two technical free throws and a 3-pointer from Zach LaVine.

Following the loss, an irate Mazzulla stormed the court with some choice words for Van Duyne.

LaVine's season-high 36 points, six rebounds, and four assists led Chicago in the victory.

Brown contributed 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists for the Celtics, but Jayson Tatum led his team with 31 points.

Boston now sits at 21-6 following the loss. They return to action Saturday in a rematch against the Bulls.