The Mavericks had not only used intentional fouls against Dwight Howard and the Rockets, they have had it tried against them, too. The Orlando Magic tried fouling DeJuan Blair on Saturday with little success.
As much as Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said it was “in the toolbox,” the tactic can have drawbacks to the team fouling that go beyond whether the shooter makes his shots.
As much as it slows the team going to the line, it slows the team fouling. There are no long, break-starting rebounds on free throws and no turnovers, which is especially difficult to give up against the Rockets who lead the NBA in turnovers.
“It slows the whole game,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “There’s not a lot of rhythm. It’s going to continue to happen unless there is a rule change or it doesn’t work anymore."