Darius Garland is a 90% free throw shooter.
It did not matter Wednesday night time. The Cleveland chief had the chance to offer his Cavaliers the benefit on the free throw line with 2.1 seconds remaining towards the Houston Rockets. However he missed two consecutive free throws to make sure a victory for the Rockets 109-108.
Because of Garland’s misses, the Rockets survived a Cleveland rally after an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and a flagrant foul on a 3-point try that put Garland on the road with an opportunity to win it within the last seconds .
Rockets are falling aside, get fortunate
The Rockets entered the fourth quarter with a 94-83 lead at dwelling. The Cavaliers took a 104-98 lead earlier than the Rockets regained a 109-107 lead with 4.1 seconds left. The Cavaliers referred to as a timeout and arrange an inbounds play for a 3-pointer by Garland on the different finish of the court docket.
It labored completely. Garland received open for a 3 from the wing and Tari Eason fouled him on his taking pictures transfer.
Officers reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to 1 flagrant. Eason landed below Garland’s ft and gave him no house to land safely.
That added as much as three free throws and possession for the Cavs as they trailed by two factors with 2.8 seconds remaining. In Garland, the Cavs despatched their finest free throw shooter to the road. It was a catastrophe for the Rockets. Or so it appeared.
When he received to the lineup, Garland did not ship. He missed his first of three free throws, however nonetheless had an opportunity to tie it along with his subsequent two.
Then he missed the second.
He delivered within the third, however that merely lower Houston’s result in 109-108.
The Cavaliers nonetheless had an opportunity to win as a result of a flagrant foul. They maintained possession and arrange an inbounds play for a game-winning try by Donovan Mitchell from the nook. However Amen Thompson received his hand on Mitchell’s face and his shot was extensive of the goal.
The Rockets held on to earn one of many least probably wins of the season towards the very best staff within the Jap Convention.
