Wizards use 'Hack-a-Shaq' strategy on Simmons, send him to line 29 times

Desperate times called for desperate measures for the Washington Wizards on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Trailing by 24 points in the third quarter and 19 heading into the fourth at the Wells Fargo Center, Washington deployed the infamous "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy by repeatedly sending rookie Ben Simmons to the charity stripe.

Simmons attempted a whopping 29 free throws in total, 24 of which came in his final nine minutes of action, setting an NBA record. He wound up converting 12 in the fourth and 15 on the night, finishing with career highs in points (31) and rebounds (18), adding four assists and a pair of steals and blocks as the Sixers held on for the 118-113 victory.

"When you're down 24, anything's in play," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said, according to USA Today. "You're just trying to do whatever it takes to give us a chance to cut the lead. His free-throw percentage is not good at the moment, so it gave us a chance to stop the clock and shoot threes while hopefully they missed free throws."

Simmons' 29 free throws are the most by any player this season, and the most by any guard since Adrian Dantley took 29 while with the Utah Jazz in 1984. For big men, Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond shot 36 against the Houston Rockets in January of last year.

Well aware of what Washington was trying to do, Simmons said afterward that all he was focusing on during that stretch was the task at hand, which was making his freebies count.

"Make the free throw. That's about it," said Simmons. "That doesn't really phase me."

When asked whether he feels other teams will look to do the same against him, Simmons added that it won't be a problem as long as he makes them. He entered the matchup shooting just 56.6 percent at the line.

Commissioner Adam Silver was in attendance, which is ironic since he was the one who just last year instituted rules to cut down on the use of "Hack-a-Shaq." Defensive fouls on inbounds plays are now treated like any away-from-the-play fouls. Free throws are also awarded for away-from-the-play fouls not just in the final two minutes of the fourth and overtime, but all other quarters, as well.