Cavaliers Stumble at Free-Throw Line in Disappointing Loss to Rockets
The Cleveland Cavaliers faced a disheartening setback on Wednesday night, succumbing to the Houston Rockets with a final score of 114-104. This defeat marked a notable dip for the Cavaliers, who now hold a 10-6 record and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. One glaring issue loomed large during the game: the team’s inability to convert at the free-throw line.
Free-Throw Woes
Cleveland struggled mightily from the charity stripe, finishing the night with only 20 successful free throws out of 32 attempts, resulting in a disappointing shooting percentage of 62.5%. Only three players—forward De’Andre Hunter, who went a perfect 8-for-8, and guards Tyrese Proctor and Donovan Mitchell, each hitting 2-for-2—managed to navigate the free-throw line unscathed. The rest of the squad faced significant challenges, with Evan Mobley’s performance standing out for all the wrong reasons.
Mobley, a rising star and the team’s forward, experienced a particularly rough night at the line, making only 4 of his 10 attempts. His struggles were especially pronounced in the fourth quarter, where he missed four consecutive free throws at critical junctures of the game, including at the 9:11 and 3:37 marks. These misses proved costly, as they could have narrowed Houston’s lead to single digits in the closing minutes.
Mobley Reflects on His Performance
After the game, Mobley addressed his free-throw struggles candidly, acknowledging the importance of making these shots. “It’s very important [making free throws],” he admitted. “I gotta be better. It’s probably the worst I’ve shot free throws in my whole time playing basketball. Just keep getting reps up, reps up, reps up and we’ll figure it out soon… focus and routine. Do it like you do in practice… It’ll change eventually. I’m just gonna keep working till it changes.” Currently, Mobley is averaging 60.4% from the free-throw line this season, ranking fourth-to-last on the team, ahead of only Craig Porter Jr., Larry Nance Jr., and Thomas Bryant.
Team Struggles at the Line
The Cavaliers’ free-throw issues extend beyond Mobley. As a team, they are managing a mere 75% conversion rate, placing them a disappointing 25th in the league. Head coach Kenny Atkinson was frank in his postgame remarks, emphasizing the necessity of capitalizing on free-throw opportunities, particularly in high-pressure situations. “You’ve gotta make your free throws,” he said. “Especially, fourth quarter, end of game. It’s tough. It’s such an important part of the game, especially when you get 32 attempts; you’ve gotta knock them down. We haven’t been good since preseason, really, shooting free throws. We practice them like everybody does.”
The absence of key players has undoubtedly compounded the team’s struggles at the line. Guards Darius Garland and Max Strus, both sidelined due to injuries, are notable free-throw assets, with Garland boasting an impressive 87.8% from the line last season and Strus close behind at 82.4%. Their absence has left a noticeable void in the Cavaliers’ free-throw efficiency.
Looking Ahead
Despite the current challenges, Atkinson remains optimistic about the team’s potential to improve. “It’ll turn, though. It’ll turn,” he assured. “We’ve got good free-throw shooters. So, Darius [Garland] is, obviously, like, what, mid-80s? So that’s another guy, Max [Strus], good free-throw shooter. So, we’re just not making them right now. It’s hurting us.”
Donovan Mitchell echoed his coach’s sentiments, recognizing the mental aspect of shooting free throws. “It’s a mental thing, and that’s a step for us,” he reflected after the loss. “We got to convert, they’re free, they’re there, got to put the work and put the time in. I didn’t know we were that low, but that’s on us. It’s a mental thing, going out there, making your free throws. We’re doing a good job of getting there, right?”
The Cavaliers will have an opportunity to rectify their free-throw struggles and their overall performance when they face off against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Rocket Arena during the NBA Cup Group stage.
