Free throws in basketball games are one of the most important and least talked about things. It helps to decide the result of any close game. Most players take it for granted, as they practice countless free throws in their lives. When the game is nearing the end, it is usually the losing side that fouls to stop the clock and hopes the shooter misses free throws. The pressure at the end of a game can lead to many heartbreaking moments. Let’s have a look at some of the biggest free throw failures in NBA history.
10.The best free throw shooter missing it in the finals
During the 2006 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, there were some shocking moments. In Game 3, Dallas had a great chance to take a 3-0 series lead and possibly win the title. Dirk Nowitzki was fouled with seconds left in that round and the Mavericks were trailing by two. Despite being one of the best free throw shooters of all time, Dirk missed his second free throw and Miami went on to win that game and the next three as well to snatch the NBA Championship from the Mavericks.
9. Paul George missed two crucial free throws
Paul George had some of the most horrible moments in the playoffs during his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers. His reputation improved in his second season with the Clippers after Kawhi Leonard suffered an injury, and they reached the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, George missed two clutch free throws at the end of the game in the Clipper’s series with the Phoenix Suns. George missed both free throws and the Phoenix Suns won the next game with a game-winning tip.
8. LeBron failed to tie the game
LeBron James has always been criticized for being afraid to take clutch free throws at the end of games. It came to a head when he received a questionable foul call for the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors in a prime time game. This call was made to give James a chance to tie the game, but he missed one of them in brutal fashion, squandering a free chance to send the game to overtime and giving his critics a lot to talk about.
7. KD missed the chance to avoid big loss
Kevin Durant suffered one of the most embarrassing moments of his career when the Brooklyn Nets were swiped out in the first round by the Boston Celtics in 2022. Boston shut out Durant for three of the four games, but despite an improved performance in Game 4, he had a poor performance. When Durant was at the free throw line, the Nets had a chance to break the lead and tie the game by fouling the Celtics, but KD missed his second free throw, ending any chance of Brooklyn’s comeback as Boston scored two points on the other end to put the game out of reach.
6. Divac missed the opportunity to end Lakers Dynasty
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings gave the NBA fans one of the greatest Western Conference Finals of all time. In the 2002 Finals, Game 4 was the best overall when Sacramento had a chance to take a 3-1 lead over the Lakers. However, Vlade Divac missed a major free throw that could have given them a three-point lead after the lead had already dwindled. The following game saw the Lakers win when Robert Horry hit a three-pointer to give them a one-point lead.
5. Leonard choked at a crucial moment in Finals
The 2013 NBA Final between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs was iconic. Ray Allen’s three-point shot to extend the final was one of the epic moments of that game. However, it took a lot to get from San Antonio to that point. Kawhi Leonard was beginning to reach his potential as a tremendous two-way player. But he was not prepared for the pressure and missed a free throw that could have put the game out of reach. Miami scored with Allen’s three-pointer and won the game in overtime to force a Game 7, which they also won.
4. Karl Malone missing after opponent’s sledge talk
The back-to-back NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz saw Michael Jordan play his best when it mattered the most. But unfortunately, Karl Malone could not do the same for his team. At the end of Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Scottie Pippen ejected Malone when he received two free throws in a tied game. Malone missed both throws after Pippen’s line “Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sunday”. On the following possession, MJ smashed the points that won the Bulls the game.
3. Arenas missing after LeBron’s talk
LeBron James’ early NBA days saw his Cleveland Cavaliers have a little rivalry with the Washington Wizards. Gilbert was the best player for the Wizards at that time and had two free throws in overtime of Game 5 at one point. Gilbert missed the first free throw because James said something to him before the next free throw. Gibby missed the second and the Cavaliers scored the following possession to win the game and the series.
2. George Hill missing an important one
The 2018 NBA Finals saw JR Smith become the scapegoat after missing the rebound at the end of Game 1, but he wasn’t the only Cleveland player to deserve the blame. Thanks to LeBron’s great game, the Cavaliers had a chance to pull off a shocking upset over the Golden State Warriors. However, George Hill was fouled with the team down by one. It was Hill’s miss that set off a chain of events instead of giving his team a lead with seconds remaining.
1. Nick Anderson misses four consecutive throws
Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws in Game 1 of the 1995 NBA finals, and it is the most disastrous failed throw scene. He had a chance to extend the Orlando Magic’s lead to a two-possession game when they were leading the Houston Rockets by three. Missing both free throws was shocking for everyone, but it turned into a big nightmare when Orlando rebounded the ball and Anderson was fouled again. Another two misses just turned the whole atmosphere on the court and Houston scored a game-tying three shortly thereafter and won the game in overtime. The game ended up deciding the series, with the Rockets subsequently defeating them.
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