In what turned into something barely resembling a basketball game Sunday night, DeAndre Jordan shot an incredible 34 free-throws in Game 4, and overtook Shaquille O’neal for the NBA Playoff record for most freebies attempted in a half with 28 going into halftime.
DeAndre Jordan just set the record for most FTs attempted in a half (28). HISTORY!
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) May 11, 2015
The Houston Rockets’ desperate tactics backfired spectacularly; Jordan sank 14 shots from the charity stripe, en route to a game-high 26 points, to go along with 17 rebounds, as the LA Clippers demolished Houston 128-95 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
The demoralized Rockets must now travel back and home and attempt to delay their summer vacation in Game 5 Tuesday night.
Per the OC Register:
“We just thought maybe we could get them out of their rhythm a little bit,” Houston coach Kevin McHale said. […] “They beat the hell out of us,” he said.
Jordan made only 10 of his 28 attempts in the half – an NBA playoff record – but this time the Clippers led by six. And they knew the Rockets were in trouble. […] “Anybody that shoots 28 free throws in the first half, that’s just crazy. I’ve never witnessed that or experienced that. For us to just kind of maintain our composure, he hit shots, he hit some free throws, we got stops,” Clippers forward Blake Griffin said. “We just grinded it out, and I think that’s a little demoralizing to be up six at halftime and the team to be putting somebody on the line 28 times in the half.”
Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise the Clippers, and in particular, Jordan, handled the fouling. Houston isn’t the first team to foul him; they likely won’t be the last. […] “He’s had practice at it. He really has,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “You know, I just kept telling our guys … ‘They’re going to foul him, and he’s going to play, and let’s just keep playing.’”
