All articles tagged with #free throws
Game 3 of the NBA Finals featured a large free-throw disparity (Spurs 24 to Knicks 8 in the second half), prompting Knicks coach Mike Brown to question the officiating and fueling a broader debate about whether referees influence a seven-game series, especially under intensified scrutiny from gambling and optics.
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Knicks were hamstrung by a disputed officiating disparity, as the Spurs shot 24 free throws in the second half to the Knicks’ eight, costing New York a chance at a Finals sweep, with Brunson’s ongoing inefficiency also hindering the effort.
Reggie Miller defended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on The Dan Patrick Show ahead of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, telling podcasters to stop overreacting to SGA’s foul-drawing and blaming officials instead. He noted SGA’s free-throw rate is down this season, argued the guard’s polished game is underappreciated, and drew historical comparisons to Michael Jordan while contrasting SGA with Luka Dončić as different benchmarks in the 2026 playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ignored the Spurs’ ‘flopper’ chants and delivered 26 points and 12 assists on a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line, helping the Thunder win 123-108 on the road to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Game 4 is Sunday in San Antonio.
In a pivotal game, Portland abandoned 3-pointers in the fourth, attacking the paint and drawing 16 free throws to outscore the Clippers 30-13 and pull away, signaling a potential playoff push and offering a blueprint for their younger core to stay aggressive and disruptive down the stretch.
Miami University (OH)’s RedHawks grabbed attention in the 2026 NCAA Tournament First Four when the swim team wore Speedos to distract SMU’s free throws, helping spark a 13-1 run in the second half. Despite an undefeated 31–0 run entering the MAC Tournament, they slipped into an at-large bid situation and wound up among the last teams in the field, with SMU earning the No. 68 seed and the committee explaining Miami (OH) wasn’t the last team selected.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 35 points and 9 assists in Oklahoma City's 104-102 win over Boston, extending his streak of 20+ point games to 127 and drawing scrutiny for his foul-drawing. Jaylen Brown’s passionate reaction on the broadcast—“That’s not basketball!”—crystallized fan frustration with how the game is officiated, highlighting the debate over the current rules that seem to favor offense, even as SGA remains an elite talent.
Doris Burke said she was slightly uncomfortable with the Heat's late-game intentional fouling that allowed Bam Adebayo to reach 83 points—the second-most in league history—driven by 16 fourth-quarter free throws as Miami beat the Wizards 150-129; Adebayo was fouled 26 times and attempted 43 free throws in the game.
Bam Adebayo scored 83 points against Washington, the second-most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100, and set a Heat single-game free-throw record with 36 made as Miami beat the Wizards 150-129. He opened with 31 points in the first quarter and tallied 43 by halftime, finishing with 9 rebounds in 42 minutes.
Kristaps Porzingis returned for Golden State and logged 23 minutes with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, but the Warriors couldn’t capitalize late and shot poorly from the line in a 104-97 loss at Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points and iced the game with a late dagger three as Golden State, short-handed without Curry and Butler, fought back with a jumbo lineup that included Porzingis. Gui Santos had a career-best 22 points and Brandin Podziemski added 17, 6, and 6 in a tough road defeat ahead of back-to-back games.
No. 14 Kansas used lockdown defense and efficient free-throw shooting to beat Houston 69-56, with Tre White leading the way with 23 points. The Jayhawks closed the first half on an 11-0 run, limited Houston to 31.8% shooting and 20.8% from 3, and went 18-for-20 at the line to seal the win as they prepare to face No. 2 Arizona.
South Carolina beat LSU 79-72 to push its winning streak to 18, getting solid defense and timely bench contributions from freshmen Dauda, McDowell, and Agot Makeer. The anticipated Fulwiley reunion didn’t explode into a showstopper, and the game hinged on free throws, with SC going 15-17 and LSU 14-23 (3-8 in the fourth). Mulkey noted Fulwiley’s impact but said the free-throw line decided the outcome, while Staley praised the depth and late-game scoring.
Indiana’s three-game win streak ended at USC as the Trojans overwhelmed the Hoosiers on the boards (11 offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points) and controlled the foul line (USC 25-for-31). Indiana shot just 28.6% from three (10-for-35) and couldn’t close a halftime gap. Lamar Wilkerson scored 33 for IU, but USC freshman Alijah Arenas stepped up with 29 after Chad Baker-Mazara’s injury, helping the Trojans pull away in an 81-75 win.
Michigan Basketball narrowly defeated Wake Forest 85-84 in overtime, showcasing strong defense and key performances from players like Mara and Cadeau, despite struggles with shooting, free throws, and turnovers. The game provided valuable experience for the developing team as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Michigan's basketball team played a small lineup in their exhibition loss to Cincinnati, 100-98, due to player availability issues. The game was characterized by a high number of fouls and free-throw attempts, with Michigan impressively shooting 85% from the line. The game served as a preparation for the upcoming season, highlighting the team's foul drawing ability and resilience despite the loss.