JJ Redick Explodes at Officials After Thunder’s Defensive Calls Frustrate Los Angeles Lakers

Redick highlighted the disparity between James and players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom critics often accuse of foul-hunting.

“Again, the smaller guys, because they can be theatrical, they typically draw more fouls, and the bigger players that are built like LeBron, it’s hard for them.”

“He gets fouled a lot, and it [doesn’t get called]. He gets hit on the head more than any player I’ve ever seen on drives, and it rarely gets called,” he added.      

Interestingly, there wasn’t a big gap between free throw attempts between the Lakers (21) and the Thunder (26). But Redick felt that his team should have gotten more calls than the Thunder. 

The Lakers couldn’t capitalize on a big third-quarter opportunity

The Lakers’ shooting was great in Game 2. At one point in the third quarter, they even took the lead from the Thunder.

However, their defensive glitches and carelessness with the ball might have been far more costly than Redick’s issue with the referees.

Early in the third quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a flagrant-1 offensive foul on Austin Reaves. He was then benched with four personal fouls, and the Lakers took a five-point lead in the game.

With Shai on the bench, the Lakers had a big opportunity to take a big lead before the fourth quarter. 

However, the Thunder went on a 25-7 run to take a 13-point lead shortly before the third quarter ended. They went on to score 11 points on the Lakers’ turnovers themselves.

The Lakers eventually paid the price for this lost opportunity and went down 2-0 in the series with a 125-107 loss.