Why did Paul miss that 2nd FT on purpose?

[LB3533]

We could have lost the game to a full court heave!

[BballTim]

  He probably thought that the chances of them getting the rebound and then getting off and making a full-court heave were much less than their chances of getting off a decent shot after inbounding the ball (probably from half court).

[KJ33]

  He probably thought that the chances of them getting the rebound and then getting off and making a full-court heave were much less than their chances of getting off a decent shot after inbounding the ball (probably from half court).

Not from half-court, they did not have a time out left.  But the struggle for the rebound would result in loss of time, let alone the heave necessary.  Inbounding it, while still difficult, would have been easier to get some sort of look.  The difference of course if he made it was that heave would only have tied it, whereas on the miss, a desperation chuck would have won it.  Thankfully, Baby made his thinking about the time loss in the rebounding action come true.

[libermaniac]

Ya, it takes about a second to grab the rebound, and then the shooter would have no momentum to heave a good shot.  Compare that with the chance of a tie if he makes it and they get to pass it to half court for a desperation 1/2 court shot.  Good decision.

[celts55]

The bigger question is why did he miss the first one? This is the third game in this series he has missed a clutch free throw at the end of a game.

[fairweatherfan]

With a miss any shot that's released will be from further away and not moving toward the basket.  Also eliminates any chance of a defensive screwup leaving someone open on our side of the court.  Doc wanted him to make it though.

[Thruthelookingglass]

  He probably thought that the chances of them getting the rebound and then getting off and making a full-court heave were much less than their chances of getting off a decent shot after inbounding the ball (probably from half court).

Not from half-court, they did not have a time out left.  But the struggle for the rebound would result in loss of time, let alone the heave necessary.  Inbounding it, while still difficult, would have been easier to get some sort of look.  The difference of course if he made it was that heave would only have tied it, whereas on the miss, a desperation chuck would have won it.  Thankfully, Baby made his thinking about the time loss in the rebounding action come true.

Exactly.  I totally agreed with Paul missing that shot--and what a bearhug Baby gave that ball!

[nickagneta]

Another problem with missing the shot is this, given the state of officiating in the NBA I wouldn't have put it past the refs to have blown a whistle for a foul against the Celtics for going over the back on the rebound. Crazier things have happened with officials over the years than them making that type of call that would have put a Bull back on the line at the other end looking to tie again.

You're [dang]ed if you do and [dang]ed if you don't and both are the right calls as long as you win and both are the wrong calls if something went wrong. Personally, I'd have sunk it and forced them having to advance and take a half court shot or longer to tie.

[jdpapa3]

Another problem with missing the shot is this, given the state of officiating in the NBA I wouldn't have put it past the refs to have blown a whistle for a foul against the Celtics for going over the back on the rebound.

I know! This was my problem with the miss. I actually thought they got Baby for an over the back. Just try to hit the free throw next time, please. It was a good miss because it came off so far, but that is a tough thing to pull off. Brad Miller missed the rim seconds earlier. This could've been a scary situation.

[guava_wrench]

Not enough time for anything to happen. The only danger was Pierce not hitting rim.

If he hits the shot, Chicago has time to find someone at halfcourt while inbounding the ball. Even if the person is farther, they can at least catch the ball in stride, giving them more distance.

Even if we didn't get the rebound, Noah or Miller would probably be left with the ball. I like our chances with one of them heaving a full court shot, especially when they have to turn around in a crowded lane.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I found it funny that Pierce missed on purpose after Doc told him to make it.

Although, overall, the correct play was to miss it to run out the clock, I like Doc just telling Pierce to make it... keep it simple and reduce the chances of mistakes being made.

[silverb]

^^^^^ I saw that too. I saw Doc and some of the assistants signaling to make the free throw...but I don't think PP missed it on purpose. I think he just missed.

His freethrow has been suspect in clutch moments. I still think the best decision was to miss it though.

[Celtic]

Because he knew Big Baby was gonna snatch that board!

[makaveli]

We could have lost the game to a full court heave!

Are you kidding me???

[jdpapa3]

We could have lost the game to a full court heave!

Are you kidding me???

This was my thought, too. I felt uncomfortable in my Milt Palacio jersey.