As a Northwestern stats analyst who’s spent 7 years decoding NBA patterns, I’m breaking down why players like Russell Westbrook and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get different treatment in the playoffs. Is it bias, strategy, or just tougher defense? Using real play-by-play data from 2018–2024, this post reveals how playoff referees call less fouls — not just on stars, but on their entire team. Spoiler: It’s not about hair. Let’s dive into the numbers.