Mitchell Robinson free-throw struggles: Why Cavs have employed ‘Hack-a-Mitch’ strategy vs Knicks big man

Mitchell Robinson has plenty of strengths. Free throw shooting has never been one of them.

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The Knicks big man is a dogged defender, particularly at the rim. He’s also a steady above the rim finisher — even if he does employ an awkward style to get on the scoreboard.

He’s not an especially accomplished shooter, however. In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers attempted to exploit this unfortunate reality, sending him to the free throw time and time again.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Mitchell Robinson free-throw struggles

Robinson is a career 50.8 percent shooter at the foul line. He is coming off the worst season of his career in terms of free throw shooting, boasting a success rate of just 40.8 percent. In other words, he figured to be an ideal candidate for Cleveland to send to the charity stripe.

The Cavaliers employed the «Hack-a-Mitch» strategy to varying success in Game 1. Robinson attempted eight free throws on the night, canning just two of them. As far as numbers are concerned, Cleveland’s strategy was a success.

That wasn’t reflected in the final box score, though. New York still emerged 115-104 victors, erasing a 22-point deficit in the game’s waning moments to score a momentous win. Robinson didn’t play much of a part in the comeback — he wasn’t on the floor at all during the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, some suggested that the Cavaliers’ willingness to send him to the free throw line with a seemingly hulking lead in their possession messed with their rhythm.

That didn’t prevent Cleveland from going back to the well in Game 2. Robinson tallied four free throw attempts in nine first half minutes. He missed all of them.

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Mitchell Robinson free throw stats

Robinson is one of the league’s worst free throw shooters. That reputation is backed up by numbers.

Here’s a look at Robinson’s free throw shooting marks over the course of his career.

What has Mitchell Robinson said about his free-throw struggles?

Robinson’s toils at the charity line have been a topic of discussion throughout his career. He offered candid analysis about it while speaking with the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy during the regular season, admitting that he rarely works on his free throw shooting during his workout sessions.

«I don’t get shots up like that. I just do a lot of lay-ups, hook shots, stuff like that,» Robinson said, per Sports Illustrated. «If you don’t get shots, you don’t know how it is. You’re not comfortable with it. So it’s just like — you got to get some shots up. I do it in the summertime, and I’m straight. And I just get away from it.»

Robinson pointed to the 60 percent free throw rate he sported during his rookie season, saying that if he focuses on that side of his game during the offseason, his free throw shooting will bloom.

«If I get shots up, everything will be alright,» Robinson said. «Until then, it is what it is.»

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Mitchell Robinson Game 2 stats

Halftime score: Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93

• Minutes: 12
• Points: 4
• Rebounds: 4
• Assists: 0
• Steals: 0
• Blocks: 1
• TOs: 1
• PF: 1
• FG: 2-2
• 3P: 0-0
• FT: 0-4