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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 07: Former NBA player Paul Pierce looks on during the first quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 07, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The OKC Thunder has been undefeated in six games so far in the NBA Playoffs. Their latest victory, a Game 2 win against the LA Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night, showcased how their physicality could dictate games.
Following the Thunder’s 125-107 win in Game 2, NBA legend and one-time champion Paul Pierce made a clever analogy for OKC, comparing them to a wrestler in the UFC.
“They don’t throw hands. They get you on the ground and choke you until you just say, ‘Damn,’” Pierce said in the No Fouls Given podcast. “They just keep you on the ground for five minutes. They got you rolling into the gate. They got you rolling over, but you never get off the ground because they are just constantly on top of you, putting pressure on you.”
“And that’s what OKC does to you until you get too tired and worn out and you just tap out.”
Paul Pierce says OKC is like that UFC fighter who likes to wrestle:
“They don’t throw hands. They get you on the ground and choke you until you just say, “Damn, they just keep you on the ground for five minutes. They got you rolling into the gate. They got you rolling over, but
Since emerging as a championship contender two seasons ago, the Thunder has been known for its relentless defense that often pushes the boundaries of physicality in an NBA game.
Because of such physicality, the Thunder has drawn the ire of numerous teams, including the Lakers, whose squad constantly complained about officiating during and after Game 2 in Oklahoma City.
According to the Lakers head coach JJ Redick, the team felt that Thunder players fouled the Lakers in every possession.
“I sarcastically said the other day, they’re the most disruptive team without fouling,” he said. “I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession.”
“They’re hard enough to play. They’re hard enough to play, you’ve got to be able to just call them if they foul, and they do foul.”
GettyThunder commits less fouls than the Lakers.
Despite their physicality, the OKC Thunder had fewer fouls in Game 2 than the Lakers. The Thunder only got whistled for 21 fouls, five less than the Lakers.
The Thunder also shot more free throws than the Lakers, with 26, five more than Los Angeles.
The Thunder also forced the Lakers to 21 turnovers, seven more than what OKC committed.
Redick pointed to the Thunder’s unwavering focus and tight-knit culture, which he said helped in favorable officiating during Game 2.
“The emotion is part of basketball. And I think some of the reason [the Thunder are] officiated the way they are is because they don’t show emotion, and that’s a credit to them,” Redick said. ”I mean, they’ve really been taking the emotion out of the game. They’re super tight-knit. They don’t complain to the officials and maybe they’re the beneficiaries of that, I don’t know.”
The Thunder remained undefeated against the Lakers this season, including their regular-season matchups.
The Thunder took down the Lakers four times in the regular season by an average winning margin of 29.3 points. They again won twice against the Lakers to open the series, both via 18-point margins.
Game 3 will be in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 9.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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