Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal was fined US$35,000 by the NBA yesterday for criticizing the referee after the Christmas Day defeat by his former team Orlando Magic.

O'Neal fouled out in only 13 minutes of play in the 86-78 loss and took aim at referee Bob Delaney who wore the number 26.

"I guess they came out to see number 26, he was a great player out there. The fans paid all that money to watch number 26," O'Neal told reporters before referring to officials as "control freaks"