MINNEAPOLIS – The free-throw routine of Dereck Lively II is as simple as it is unique.
Get the ball. Line it up. Take the shot.
No dribbling. No arm-touching or ball-spinning. No extraneous body movement, like shoulder wiggles.
Just catch and shoot.
Lively’s free-throw shooting has become a source of pride for him and an asset for the Mavericks during their playoff run, which has landed them a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The spotlight turned onto Lively’s success at the stripe during the Oklahoma City series, when the Thunder resorted to intentionally fouling the 7-1 Lively in hopes that he would miss the free throws.