Doc Rivers swallowed hard and accepted his $10,000 fine from the league yesterday.

The Celtics coach was tagged with the penalty after not leaving the floor in a timely manner after his first-half ejection in Friday?s loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Rivers, arguing an offensive goaltending call on the Bulls and then a foul on Delonte West, was hit with a technical during the ensuing timeout.

An enraged Rivers then let loose with an invective that earned him the hook from referee Jack Nies.

?I don?t think I deserved it, but it is what it is,? Rivers said after yesterday?s practice in the Toyota Center, where the Celtics play the Houston Rockets tonight. ?I was already on the floor during a timeout, and I think that?s what they missed.

?They make the rules, but I wish they would look at the whole situation, and that?s what I don?t feel they did,? he said, later joking, ?but if the money goes to the Russ Granik retirement fund, I?m all for it. Actually, hopefully it goes to the New Orleans relief effort.?

Granik is the NBA?s retiring vice commissioner.