Nets Can’t Overcome Technical Difficulties

Portland forward Rasheed Wallace got another quick technical foul, but it was New Jersey Coach Byron Scott who got the worst from an officiating crew with a zero tolerance policy for backtalk.

Wallace had 16 points, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and yet another blemish on his behavioral record Monday night as the Trail Blazers began their seven-game, 10-day road trip with a 94-82 victory over the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

“I was surprised at Rasheed’s technical,” Trail Blazer Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “But I’d be surprised too, if I was Byron.”

Scott drew two quick technicals and an ejection from referee Derrick Stafford moments after Wallace got his sixth technical of the season.

The Trail Blazers steadily pulled away after Scott was tossed for their fourth victory in a row.

Wallace refused to comment afterward.

“I said a few things, but I don’t think there was anything I said that I should have been ejected for,” said Scott, who engaged the officiating crew in a brief staredown as the teams left the court at halftime. “He [Stafford] seemed ticked off from the time he stepped on the court. After the first tech he said something to me, and I said something I shouldn’t have.

“After I got the two techs the whole complexion of the game changed, I take full responsibility,” Scott said.

Stephon Marbury led the Nets with 24 points, ending a streak of scoring at least 30 points at five games.

*

Boston Celtic forward Antoine Walker was fined $2,500 by the NBA for verbally abusing a referee during Saturday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

*

The Trail Blazers expect to activate center Arvydas Sabonis (knee surgery) within the next week. . . . Patrick Ewing will face New York for the first time since being traded to Seattle in a four-team deal when the Knicks visit tonight.