Cavs Mailbag: Why Fewer Free-Throw Attempts Than Opponents?

Spencer Davies answers Cleveland Cavaliers fans' questions before the team's two-game home mini-series vs. the Washington Wizards.

Welcome to Cavs Mailbag! In this daily mailbag, Spencer Davies will respond to fans’ curiosities surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the duration of the 2023-24 season. In order to submit yours, simply send your questions on X to @SpinDavies or via email at spindavies22@gmail.com.

The Cavs get back to work tonight, starting a three-game homestand before heading out to Paris, France. They'll have two straight contests vs. the Washington Wizards, then will bring in Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Let's get to the question of the day:

What do the Cavs have to do to not be shooting so many fewer FTs than the opponents? - @FlyOhioAviation

Hmm.... 

Other than getting into an officials debate (and there are plenty), I'll present you with some numbers via NBA.com.

From Oct. 25 to Dec. 15, pre-Darius Garland and Evan Mobley injuries:

• Drives Per Game: 51.6 (NBA Rank - 9th)
• Drive Points: 29.7 (NBA Rank - 11th)
• Field-Goal Attempts Per Game Via Drives: 24.8 (NBA Rank - T-6th)
• Free-Throw Attempts Per Game Via Drives: 7.0 (NBA Rank - T-9th)
• Assists Per Game Via Drives: 5.8 (NBA Rank - 1st)

Now, let's look at those since the team's been extra shorthanded from Dec. 16 and on:

• Drives Per Game: 49.6 (NBA Rank - 17th)
• Drive Points: 27.1 (NBA Rank - 24th)
• Field-Goal Attempts Per Game Via Drives: 22.8 (NBA Rank - 13th)
• Free-Throw Attempts Per Game Via Drives: 5.8 (NBA Rank - 18th)
• Assists Per Game Via Drives: 5.3 (NBA Rank - T-8th)

Easy and simple deduction: The Cavs are focused on an altered approach with Garland and Mobley sidelined. They're still getting into the paint — and Jarrett Allen is a big part of that — but the passes are doing the majority of the creation, even swinging it side-to-side without penetration in some cases.

J.B. Bickerstaff said as much a couple of weeks ago.

"Obviously you're missing some pieces, so offensively, you have to make some adjustments," Bickerstaff said after Cleveland's win over the Utah Jazz before the holidays. "And playing a little bit more the analytics game and paying attention to your shot types a little bit more, understanding the value of the three-point shot, and obviously the guys that are taking them and how we're creating them. 

"They're not a lot of just 1-on-1 pull ups. It's a lot of ball movement and sharing the game and creating for one another."

Drawing attention off pick-and-rolls or getting two to come to the ball will always leave somebody open. That's a huge part of what Donovan Mitchell brings to the table. Caris LeVert will get doubled at times as well. 

Dec 29, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) passes as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward Bobby Portis (9) defend during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Here's the biggest explainer, for me, when it comes to the lack of free throws:

• Catch-And-Shoot Points Per Game (Oct. 25-Dec. 15): 26.1 
• Catch-And-Shoot Points Per Game (Dec. 16-Now): 36.1

Elbow touch points have also gone up, which indicates more creativity in dribble handoffs. That leads to pocket passes to the the rim, kickbacks, kickouts and, with shooters, three-ball attempts on the move.

But of course, there are going to be games where you're left scratching your head.

The Milwaukee Bucks game last Friday, for example, had an egregious 28-9 free-throw discrepancy. You can also look at the first meeting at full health with the Boston Celtics (26-9). 

Hopefully, Cleveland can keep its offense going and get to the line more frequently in the process.