---
title: "Why Do Basketball Teams Foul on Purpose Near the End of a Close Game?"  
description: "Why Do Basketball Teams Foul on Purpose Near the End of a Close Game?"  
author: "Daria Smirnova"  
published: 2026-10-15  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117554/why-do-basketball-teams-foul-on-purpose-near-the-end-of-a-close-game  
category: "Mix Category"  
tags: ["basketball", "Sports strategy", "Rules"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why Do Basketball Teams Foul on Purpose Near the End of a Close Game?

In the final minute of a close basketball game, a team that’s behind will sometimes foul an opponent instead of trying to defend the possession. To a casual viewer, giving the other team free throws seems like an odd way to stay in the game.

What makes that decision worthwhile in some situations, and how do the score, clock, and free-throw shooter affect the choice? I’d also like to understand when the strategy tends to backfire.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117554/why-do-basketball-teams-foul-on-purpose-near-the-end-of-a-close-game

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