Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders saw the replays and said he does not condone Shaquille O'Neal throwing a roundhouse punch at the back of Chicago center Brad Miller's head.

But Saunders said he understands why the Los Angeles Lakers center became so enraged in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game in Chicago.

"People play 'Hack-a-Shaq,' and it can get frustrating," Saunders said Monday. "If you're not making free throws and people are grabbing you; I think he has some frustration."

O'Neal's frustration bubbled over after a hard foul by Miller and Charles Oakley. O'Neal threw two punches, including an overhead right that just barely missed the back of Miller's head, igniting a melee along the baseline.