Anyone notice smart tried to purposely miss that last free throw ?

[CelticsElite]

https://youtu.be/lxvN4hkFBwg

You can see The whole bench was disappointed when smart makes the free throw so everyone knew the strategy.  It seems Stevens idea here was if you miss the 1st one (or even if you make it), try to get the rebound and quickly score again to seal the deal.

Seemed risky cuz you could get called for a foul in that mosh pit

[Bucketgetter]

https://youtu.be/lxvN4hkFBwg

You can see The whole bench was disappointed when smart makes the free throw so everyone knew the strategy.  It seems Stevens idea here was if you miss the 1st one (or even if you make it), try to get the rebound and quickly score again to seal the deal.

Seemed risky cuz you could get called for a foul in that mosh pit

Not at all lol. You miss because it gives them less time to get a shot off and they don't get to take the ball out of bounds. We were only up 1, so the difference between being up 1 or 2 didn't matter. At best they would get a heave up if Smart was able to miss it.

[GreenEnvy]

Smart definitely tried to miss the second after missing the first. Being down 1 vs 2 is the same thing with that little time left and no timeouts. They were hoisting a three regardless.

Leave it to Smart to mess up the first free throw, then mess up the second.... and of course still secure the win.

[iadera]

Everybody noticed I think and you usualy do that if you have any lead in last 2-3 sec. at the FT line.

[pearljammer10]

I mean, literally everyone watching noticed this.

He didn’t try to miss it to score again he tried to miss it to eat the clock so the Sixers couldn’t set up anything.

[Neurotic Guy]

It was another dagger to the heart when the attempted miss went in giving Philly a chance for “Laetner” prayer to win, whereas 3 ticks on the clock goes quickly when you first have to secure the rebound. Marcus shot quick and hard hoping for a good bounce off the rim and a less ready box out. . Cs make Philly work to secure it and no time for a pass to to the  frontcourt.  At best, a pass in the backcourt and a 3/4 court heave.

[Chief]

Right before the shot, Big AL tells Marcus to talk to CBS. Coach clearly tells Marcus to try to miss because Philly has no timeouts left.

[jambr380]

Of course, right? The best option there [by far] was missing the free throw, letting Philly secure the rebound, and then hoist up a 90-footer. Instead, he missed the more important free throw, blew the miss, and then picked off the pass in Marcus Smart fashion.

I do think people are overrating the free-safety pick off, though. Almost any other player would have at least gotten a hand on the ball resulting in the clock running out. Even if Philly miraculously caught the ball, they still have to make another off-balance desperation shot.

[Surferdad]

Of course, right? The best option there [by far] was missing the free throw, letting Philly secure the rebound, and then hoist up a 90-footer. Instead, he missed the more important free throw, blew the miss, and then picked off the pass in Marcus Smart fashion.

I do think people are overrating the free-safety pick off, though. Almost any other player would have at least gotten a hand on the ball resulting in the clock running out. Even if Philly miraculously caught the ball, they still have to make another off-balance desperation shot.

Right, but the fact that it was Smart just adds to his legacy.  Also, desperation shots do go in sometimes so the fact that Marcus actually caught the ball better assures the win.

[Big333223]

Classic Marcus Smart. Misses the first FT then can't miss the FT he tries to miss but then gets back and starts directing the D line a middle linebacker and then turns himself into free safety and intercepts the pass.

[celts55]

I'm wondering, am I only one who noticed that Smart traveled after he picked off that pass?
Maybe I'm crazy, but looked like he took a few steps before he threw the ball up in the air.

[hayhayc]

I'm wondering, am I only one who noticed that Smart traveled after he picked off that pass?
Maybe I'm crazy, but looked like he took a few steps before he threw the ball up in the air.

yea he seems to catch the ball and fall back a few steps.

[Phantom255x]

I'm wondering, am I only one who noticed that Smart traveled after he picked off that pass?
Maybe I'm crazy, but looked like he took a few steps before he threw the ball up in the air.

yea he seems to catch the ball and fall back a few steps.

Yeah but come on, that NEVER gets called in those end of game situations (last 2-3 seconds with desperation heave).

It's happened many times before with other teams and refs just ignore it. Game over.

[hodgy03038]

Usually when a player tries to miss a free throw it is an air ball which would have been worse as a 2 pt shot or foul wins it. Next time just MAKE the 1st one and make the previous FREE throws you get during the game.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Yes, everyone watching the game did.

I didn't agree with it, glad it went in.