The Wizards and Sixers combined for 100 free throws, which is absurdly rare

We got to witness something very rare on Wednesday night as the Wizards and Sixers combined for 101 attempted free throws in Philadelphia’s 118-113 win. Ben Simmons led the way, with the rookie heading to the stripe 29 times as part of a “hack-a-Shaq” strategy that almost worked for the Wizards.

How often do two teams combine to shoot this many times from the charity stripe? Not often. Wednesday night marked just the 14th time in the last 30 years that two teams combined to shoot over 100 free throws in a game that ended in regulation. Over that time a total of 34,280 games have been played, meaning the odds of seeing a 100 free-throw game are just 1-in-2,448 — or 0.04 percent.

The NBA regular season average for attempted free throws in a game this season is 44.2. The Sixers and Wizards were over double that, and yet somehow, despite combining for 69 fouls, only two players fouled out (Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre).

The five games with the most attempted free throws in regulation (1987-2017)

Celtics vs. Knicks, Nov 18. 2006
FTA: 113

Paul Pierce scored 39 points for the Celtics on just 10-23 from the field thanks to the Knicks sending him to the line 22 times, with Pierce knocking down 18 free throws. Four Knicks players fouled out in regulation.

Sebastian Telfair also started over Rajon Rondo because the past is fun.

Warriors vs. Jazz, Mar. 29 1990
FTA: 111

The Jazz, who were rolling at the time with a 50-20 record, lost despite Karl Malone scoring 49 points, and John Stockton scoring 19 and dishing out 16 assists. The two-man show combined for 33 of Utah’s 46 attempted free throws, while the rest of the team wouldn’t stop sending Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond to the stripe.

The Warriors had 65 free throws on the night, shooting .846 and sealing the win.

Warriors vs. Nuggets, Nov. 2 1990
FTA: 106

This game was bananas in the best possible way. It’s opening night in 1990 and neither the Warrior of Nuggets decided to play any defense — outside of fouling each other. The game ends with a 162-158 Warriors win, all in regulation.

Tim Hardaway totally went off in this game with 32 points and 18 assists.

Jazz vs. Knicks, Nov. 12 1995
FTA: 105

The Knicks only played nine players, with the entire bench contributing just 49 minutes total. Why? Because their starters were on fire.

via Baketball Reference

Warriors vs. Mavericks, Jan. 18 1992
FTA: 105

This game is pretty unremarkable other than a super solid Fat Lever scoreline, and I’m a sucker for a good Fat Lever scoreline — especially in the twilight of his career. He scored 16 points and grabbed 10 boards off the bench as the Mavericks pushed one of the best teams in the NBA in a game nobody thought they had a chance in.

Dallas had a 45-point fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to get past Chris Mullin and Hardaway who combined for 53 points.

OK ... what’s the most attempted free throws in shot-clock era?

It took overtime, but the Suns and Jazz combined for the more free throws in modern NBA history, also in 1990 (which was a big year for fouling). The teams combined for 121 free throws, with Phoenix shooting a staggering 80.

Kevin Johnson got sent to the line 24 times and hit 23 of them — scoring 37 points in the game, while Tom Chambers attempted 22 free throws of his own.

What are the most free throw attempts by a player in a game?

On Wednesday night the Wizards sent Simmons to the line 29 times, but he’s got nothing on Dwight Howard, who shot 39 free throws in a 2012 game against the Warriors.

Howard went on to score 45 points and grab 23 rebounds in the game.

But nothing ... NOTHING compares to this game: