Instead, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed Rondo's comments, calling it "normal playoff chatter."
Rondo was interviewed by ESPN's Doris Burke during halftime of Sunday's Game 4, and he took a shot at the Heat when asked about what holes the Celtics were exploiting in Miami's defense. Rondo said that the Heat were "complaining and crying to the referees in transition," a statement that he didn't backtrack on when asked after the game if he expected any repercussions.
"What I said was true," Rondo said. "I don't take back what I said. That's what it is."
Spoelstra was asked Monday about Rondo's comments, and the Heat coach didn't seem too concerned about the whole situation.
"I could really care less — couldn't care less about what another player has to say about our team," Spoelstra said. "The deeper you get into a competitive series, the more people [say], the more noise there tends to be."
Meanwhile, on the Celtics bench, Boston head coach Doc Rivers also downplayed the situation, only touching upon it briefly when asked.
"We watch a lot of film, I'll just stop there," Rivers said. "Other than that, I don't make comments on that. I mean, Rondo is very emotional, we like him to be intense. Obviously, if that motivates anybody else, that motivates anybody else. But if you need motivation at this point, there's something wrong anyway. As far as what he said, I'll leave that alone. I'll just leave it there."
The Celtics and Heat will square off in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami on Tuesday night.
Click here to see Rondo's controversial halftime comments >>
