Free throw attempts in the NBA have dropped significantly in January, resulting in a scoring decline of approximately eight points per game and raising questions about officiating changes. For instance, Jaylen Brown drove to the basket 23 times against the Spurs without earning a single free throw, prompting him to criticize the inconsistent officiating and resulting in a $35,000 fine. The decline in free throws has affected betting patterns, with unders winning 64.7% of the time, as teams have experienced nine single-digit free throw games this month alone. While no official memo has been released regarding changes in officiating, analytics groups have noted the trend, echoing past midseason adjustments aimed at balancing offensive advantages.
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NBA Free Throw Rate Declines in January as Scoring Falls
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