John Hollinger of The Athletic observes that fouls and free throws have significantly shaped the start of the NBA’s regular season.
He points out that the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors combined for 99 free throw attempts in their recent matchup, the highest combined total for any game since 2017.
Across the league, the free throw rate has spiked by over 20%, reflecting a broader trend that’s impacting game flow and scoring.
Hollinger explores the potential reasons behind this shift, gathering perspectives from several coaches on how they’re adapting to the increased calls.
“There’s been an emphasis historically, over the last several years, on freedom of movement. That concept having specific application in pick-and-roll is something that’s significant,” says Hawks coach Quin Snyder.
“Coaches adjust, players adjust to how things are being called, and if that’s something we have to adjust to, we will.”
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