The Associated Press reports that Rasheed Wallace is in hot water again. Wallace has had a hate/hate relationship with the officials for the last few years and today he was suspended for seven games because of a confrontation with one of them.

After Wednesday night?s victory over Memphis in the Rose Garden, Wallace confronted referee Tim Donaghy outside the arena. The incident was recorded in the official?s report of the game. "He accosted a referee and threatened him,'' NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson said.

Jackson refused to elaborate on the nature of the confrontation other than to say that there was no physical contract between Wallace and Donaghy.

Jackson said that Wallace?s past dealing with officials was considered when deciding on the severity of the punishment. "The actions here were completely out of bounds and they were not appropriate and will not be tolerated,'' Jackson said. "We strongly believe the penalty that we issued was appropriate for Rasheed's actions.''

During the game, Wallace scored 38 points with 10 rebounds but was called for a technical foul by Donaghy with 9:45 to go in the third quarter. The call appeared to be for Wallace's return of the ball to another referee after he was called for a foul.

Wallace will be able to appeal the suspension.