Spurs rookie forward Tiago Splitter spent a few minutes after his teammates left the court experimenting with different foul shots under the watchful eye of Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland.
Splitter is struggling from the line, hitting 55.9 percent from the foul line. He’s hit only 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) from the line in his last six games, including a critical air ball late in the Spurs’ loss to Portland.
The shot Splitter appeared to have the most success with Thursday morning had a distinct movement where he placed the ball in his right hand and then shot the ball. It completely removed his left hand out of his shooting motion.
It’s a curious looking stroke, but one where improvement is important. His chances of playing more in the fourth quarter will depend on him not being a liability from the foul line in latter stages of the game.