Fouling up three is analytically sound, but terrible for viewers

With eight seconds to play in Game 4, the Minnesota Timberwolves had the ball down three points, with a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer. They never got that chance since the Oklahoma City Thunder kept fouling.

The strategy was sound. Instead of allowing the Timberwolves a chance to take a tying three, they put Naz Reid on the foul line, then Anthony Edwards. The Wolves made their first three free throws, then Edwards had to miss intentionally, but the Thunder got the rebound.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault can't be faulted by the outcome of his strategy, but it made for uninteresting viewing. A game that featured clutch shots and great defensive plays for nearly 48 minutes descended into a free-throw shooting contest at what should have been the most dramatic part of the game.

Fouling up three points doesn't always work. Against the Denver Nuggets, Denver sank all its free throws, Chet Holmgren missed two free throws and Aaron Gordon made a game-winning three-pointer.