Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers dismissed Dwyane Wade's suggestion that Rajon Rondo's flagrant foul at the end of Tuesday's season-opener against the Heat in Miami was a "punk play."

Rondo was whistled for a flagrant foul 1 after he hooked Wade in the neck area on a late drive to the basket. The two players exchanged words before being separated by teammates. Miami won the game 120-107.

Appearing Thursday on Boston sports radio WEEI, Rivers noted that Wade has "given a lot of hard fouls" in his career and pointed out that Rondo's gruesome elbow injury during the 2011 playoffs was "created by Dwyane Wade."

Added Rivers: "I don't think (Rondo's flagrant) was a 'punk' move unless (Wade's foul) was, too."

Wade replied, telling Rivers "to go back and look."

"Rondo pulled me and I pulled him and we both fell," Wade said on ESPN radio. "That's how I was falling because Rondo pulled me on that play. I apologized to Rondo for that because I don't ever want to see anyone get injured. Just like I didn't mean to injure Kobe (Bryant) in the All-Star Game but things happen. But it wasn't 18 seconds left where the game was decided. That's what I was talking about when I called it a punk play. There's 18 seconds left, why are you going for my neck? You can do that early in the game, in competition, let's go."

At practice on Thursday, Rondo agreed with his coach while sneaking in a little jab at Wade.

"I mean, I don't think it was a hard foul," Rondo said. "(Wade) sold it a little bit, and that's basketball. They were up, he drove to the hole, I didn't want to give up a layup. Simple as that. I didn't yank him down, or dirty plays that you've seen him play in the past. So that's what it is."