New Warriors coach Mark Jackson set the strategy — hack-a-Howard.
Golden State intentionally fouled Dwight Howard all game long. In addition to the times they just fouled him as he attacked the rim — the Warriors tried to single-cover him with David Lee and other players who just are not big enough
The result was Howard taking 39 free throws (hitting 21, 53.9 percent). That broke the 1962 record of Wilt Chamberlain who took 34.
The strategy made this an ugly game with no flow. It was just hard to watch.
Jackson was interviewed by Craig Sager on TNT. Sager asked Jackson how as a former player and broadcaster he could go with this strategy. Jackson’s response: I don’t care about the viewers, I care about winning games and this makes it more likely.
Howard finished with 45 points and 23 rebounds, leading the Magic to a 117-109 win. Jackson’s strategy didn’t work.
But it did set NBA history.
