The San Antonio Spurs are feeling like they're getting pushed around a bit on after losing Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Now down 2-1 in the series, the Spurs must even things up before the series heads back to OKC.

Even up.

And maybe "muscle up.''

Aside from a historical Game 1, Victor Wembanyama has looked good - but something short of "super-human,'' which would come in handy right now.

The Thunder's success, in part, is due to OKC having been physical all series long, with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein tasked with defending the young superstar ... and doing so with what Spurs fans think is a high level of brutality ...

Which is where Charles Barkley would like a word.

“I think we need to all pray for Wemby cause he can’t play too many minutes, they are going to kill him out there,'' Barkley said sarcastically. "These people, they are pissing me off. I’m watching the whole game. They (OKC) ain’t playing dirty, and I’m like: ‘These are some of the softest fouls I’ve ever seen in my life.'''

Barkley, the NBA legend speaking on "Inside The NBA,'' criticized the Spurs game plan as well, opining that double-teaming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deep in the backcourt isn't working.

But mostly, the controversy is about the calls.

In Game 3, the Spurs came out of the gate on fire, jumping out to a 15-0 lead before their ice-cold shooting was surpassed by a 44-percent effort from the Thunder. The Spurs got shot out of their own building and will need to play with pace and aggression if they want to stand a chance tonight.

Yes, "aggression.'' Fight fire with fire, so to speak.

And yes, with a focus that allows them to deal with the gifted Gilgeous-Alexander, who has a frustrating knack for both scoring ... and for flopping.

Griping about it won't help. ... and in that sense, Barkley is onto something.

“You got these clowns on TV talking about: ‘They are gonna hurt poor Wemby,’ I was like: ‘Hurt him? Are you really kidding, man?’ It drives me crazy watching these shows,” Barkley said.

READ MORE: Devin Vassell Details Spurs' Game 3 Dust-Up With Thunder

READ MORE: Spurs Fizzle Out After Hot Start, Drop Game 3 to Thunder

READ MORE: Spurs Reveal Reason Behind Game 3 Collapse

After losing Game 3, the Spurs' odds of winning Game 4 actually jumped a little bit. Even the experts in Las Vegas expect San Antonio to bounce back.

After Game 3, the Spurs were well aware that they let the pace get away from them. They need to find a sustainable balance of tempo and care.

"I thought we played very fast," said Mitch Johnson of the Spurs' start. "And I think that's something that tapered off as the game went along, and we have to find a way to do that. And part of that's on me to help the whole group, not just the bench, but to continue to play fast and get out and get some easy opportunities."

Just like in Game 3, expect the Spurs to send a message early. Unlike the last game, maybe they won't take their foot off the gas in their maybe-literal "fight'' to even the series.