CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officials following his team's 108-97 loss Friday night to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Lue was upset LeBron James took just four free throws despite repeated drives to the basket. The officials generally allowed both teams to get away with contact during the game.
"He never gets calls," Lue said Friday. "I mean, he attacks. Outside of Russell Westbrook, he's one of the guys that attacks the paint every single play. And he doesn't get a fair whistle all the time because of his strength and because of his power and guys bounce off of him. But those are still fouls, and we weren't able to get them. But we've got to play through officiating."
James has gotten to the foul line just 17 times in the four games, and he is in danger of averaging the fewest free throws per game in any series of his career. James is averaging 5.4 free throws per game this postseason, which is a career low. He averaged 6.5 free throws per game in the regular season, his lowest since he averaged 5.8 in 2003-04, his rookie year.
"It's been like that all year, for the most part," James said after the loss. "I'm not quite sure what I can do personally to get to the free throw line, but I've got to continue to be aggressive for our team.
"I'm getting hit, but the refs are not seeing it that way on my drives. ... It's tough playing 46 minutes and only going to the line four times, as much as I attack the rim. So it's just a tough situation for our team."
The Warriors took 31 free throws in the game; the Cavs took 26. Golden State's number was padded by intentional fouling in the final minutes.
Asked further about the officiating, James simply said: "I'm going to save my 25K, OK?"