Paul Pierce predicts Thunder will sweep Lakers

In the minds of most people, it isn't a matter of if the Oklahoma City Thunder will defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the upcoming Western Conference semifinal series between the two teams. It's only a question of how many games it will take the Thunder to eliminate LeBron James and company.

The Thunder, the defending NBA champions, are huge favorites in this series. Paul Pierce, the former Boston Celtics star who grew up as a Lakers fan in the Southland, explained why he thinks Oklahoma City will win in a sweep during an appearance on the "No Fouls Given" podcast.

“I don’t see the Lakers hanging with this group,” Pierce said. “They’re used to playing without (Jalen) Willams, you know what I’m saying? Then you’re asking LeBron again at 41... He’s going to log a lot of minutes and he’s going to be on the ball a lot more than he was when Luka [Doncic] is out there. It’s just going to be difficult. I don't think the Lakers get a game.

“… LeBron at 41 — I don’t want Lu Dort draped all over me all game, holding me. Cason Wallace, just all these guys draped all over you. When I got older, the guys started deny, you just like, don’t want to waste the energy to get open. You like, damn dog. Come on.”