The Lost Art of the Free Throw

Jimmy Butler finished the game with 35 points and 23/23 from the FT line.

Last night Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat did something that has never been done in NBA history: the most free throws in a game on 100% shooting. The Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112 to 111 in a 4Q comeback. Miami was 40/40 100% from the charity stripe. There is now a tie for 2nd between the ‘82 Utah Jazz and ‘53 Fort Wayne Pistons with 39 FTs at 100%. The Heat had a rough night shooting the basketball from the field at 39% and 30% from 3PT. Miami had to come back to win this game and the 100% from the FT line made the difference. It always will. That is why I felt they deserved a shout out. The entire team did its job and nobody missed. A very rare accomplishment much less doing it 40 times.

It does not matter how tired one is. How much pressure there is. Those lonely shots at the free throw line usually decide the game. How can something called “free” be so difficult. Being left on an island to make those shots can be the most difficult thing one has to do on a basketball court especially when the game is hanging in the balance. So, when the crowd is either dead silent or electric - make your damn free throws!