Intentional Foul to Stop Clock

[Indy_Ref]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach
Got one this weekend. 15 seconds left, need a three to tie, 2 guard hot but can't get free despite screens, turns over ball. Tries to foul while stealing ball, other player made great crossover move and was blowing by him. He only got the off arm and got a decent hook of it to make sure he got call. He didn't do the reach around grab that I see so often, with on 50% of those getting the intentional. Got rung up for one anyway. Difference in this case is 1-1 vs 2, and obviously the ball.

I was disappointed with the call, but there's not much I could say - it was intentional and he was nailed for it. Told the team after the game that we'll probably get away with that foul 3/4 of the time, and we had no choice but to try it. If they get past our guard, the game is over. Player nailed both free throws anyway, so it probably didn't matter which way it was called in the end.

Coach, in all honesty, I would NOT have called an intentional...at least if the play happened exactly the way you described it.