Rockets Likely To Use Hack-A-Dwight Strategy Vs. Lakers

By Tony Hoops | Published December 4, 2012

Dwight Howard may be one of the league’s most dominant big men. The free throw line, however, is his kryptonite.

Sunday night was a frustrating one for the man known over the last several years as Superman. Howard’s former team, the Magic, fouled him seven times (out of their eight fouls) after he checked into the game for the final time at the 7:08 mark with the Lakers up six. Howard hit seven of those 14 free throw attempts. Some of the fouls came when the Lakers were nowhere near shooting or even nowhere near the hoop. For the game, Howard shot 9-of-21 from the line. For the season, he’s shooting free throws at a 46.5 percent clip. The Lakers lost 113-103 to the Magic on Sunday.

The Rockets noticed this strategy as they prepare to host the Lakers on Tuesday night.

“It worked,” Chandler Parsons said. “I think it’s smart to do it every now and then. I don’t think you should rely on it. I think, hopefully, we’re not in a situation where we have to do that, but it’s up to the coaching staff and it obviously worked last night. If he’s struggling like that, there’s no reason to give him anything easy.”

(Via CSNHouston)