The Cavaliers Are The Only NBA Team To Do This Since At Least 1948-49
In their last game two nights ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 116-95 thanks to prolific passing and strong shooting.
While Cleveland shot an efficient 47-for-92 (51.1%) from the field and 20-for-45 (44.4%) from three-point range, another shooting stat easily stood out from the rest.
This past Wednesday night, the Wine and Gold shot just 2-for-3 (66.7%) from the free-throw line, with their two makes and three attempts from the stripe both being season-lows.
Center Jarrett Allen made one of his two free throw attempts, while point guard Darius Garland converted his only attempt at the line.
On the other side, the Pelicans shot 21-for-26 (80.8%) from the free-throw line.
With their victory, according to Stathead, the Cavaliers became the only NBA team since at least the 1948-49 season to win multiple regular-season or postseason games with three-or-fewer free throw attempts.
Mar 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks to pass the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland’s other such victory was on November 26, 1994, when the team went a perfect 2-for-2 at the free-throw line in a 101-87 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Additionally, per Stathead, the Wine and Gold’s most recent victory is just the ninth instance since at least the 1948-49 season when an NBA team attempted three-or-fewer free throws in a regular-season or postseason win. It is the first time this has happened in a game since April 1, 2018, when the Atlanta Hawks made their only free throw attempt in a 94-88 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Cavaliers will look to move to 2-0 on their current three-game road trip when they face the Houston Rockets tomorrow evening at 5 p.m.
