Intentional foul or not

[RX Ref]

Although the foul was obviously intentional, the best call might be the common foul. If this is not covered in a pregame conference with your partner, it might be something you want to discuss during a 4th quarter time-out. In close games you know that the team behind is going to foul to try and stop the clock, so you just want to make sure they are making some attempt to go for the ball, or at least make it look good. After all, if you are holding a cutter through the lane, that is intentional, but it is never called intentional during the course of the game. As officials, we are more than just a rules book, we have to interpret them to fit the situation and make the best call. Hope that helps.