If we have talked about the effect of the “Wall” of the Intuit Dome on the percentage of opposing free throws, it is nevertheless in Houston that the visitors have the most difficulty in making their penalty shots. The Rockets' opponents only shoot with a 71.7% success rate at the Toyota Center, much less than the average 77.9% success rate…
New illustration last night, with the 13/19 of the Cavaliers, including especially the very surprising 3/8 of Darius Garland. At 107-109 for Houston, the playmaker collects a flagrant foul from Tari Eason two seconds from the end, on a 3-point shot. Three free throws then the possession to follow for Cleveland!
While he is one of the most clutch players at the start of the season, but also one of the most skilled at throwing, it looks like a hold-up for the Cavaliers.
Except that Darius Garland will miss the first two free throws, and as Donovan Mitchell will miss the final 3-pointer, the playmaker can blame himself since the Rockets win (109-108) and he ends up at an astonishing 3/8 on the repair line. Or five free throws left in the way while he was shooting at more than 90% in the exercise.
“Our best free throw shooter missed two. It happens. That's life “
“I've never missed so many free throws in a game in my life, so I'm going to ignore that.”explains Darius Garland, who had never missed more than four shots in a game since his debut in the NBA.
“I told him he carried us all year” explains Kenny Atkinson in defense of his player. “He put himself in a good position. I love him, I love his desire. Without him, we lose by ten points. For me, it's almost irrelevant. I want him in this situation every time. »
Same logic for Donovan Mitchell.
“Our best free throw shooter missed two. It happens. That's life. There are a lot of things we could have done better up until that point. This is the same guy who got us to this point. I'd rather it be now than in June. Let all the mistakes happen now. He's been great all year, great in the fourth quarter all year. It happens to everyone. »
| Darius Garland | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 59 | 31 | 40.1 | 35.5 | 87.5 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 12.3 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 54 | 33 | 45.1 | 39.5 | 84.8 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 17.4 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 68 | 36 | 46.2 | 38.3 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 8.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.1 | 21.7 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 69 | 36 | 46.2 | 41.0 | 86.3 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 21.6 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 57 | 33 | 44.6 | 37.1 | 83.4 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 18.0 |
| 2024-25 | KEY | 41 | 30 | 49.8 | 42.7 | 90.1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 21.1 |
| Total | 348 | 33 | 45.4 | 39.0 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 18.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
