Cavs' success helped by accuracy at the foul line

Cleveland leads the league in shooting percentage and is third in attempts.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
CLEVELAND -- A collection of slashers, dashers and 3-point shooters make the Cavaliers one of the NBA's more exciting teams to watch.
They are statistically most effective, however, when at a standstill.
The Cavs lead the league in free-throw shooting percentage (.812) and are third in average attempts (29.64).
Foul shots might not quicken the pulses of fans at Quicken Loans Arena or replace the requisite LeBron James dunk highlight on "NBA Fastbreak," but they are becoming central to the Cavs' success this season.
The 112-105 overtime win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday serves as the latest and best illustration of the power of the free throw. The Cavs converted 40-of-47 attempts on a night they shot 40.7 percent from the floor. The 40 makes were the most in a game since 1999.
"It's really important to me -- that's playoff basketball -- getting to the free throw line," Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
Marshall's plan
The Cavs forced overtime Wednesday thanks to a three-point play by Donyell Marshall, who put back a Larry Hughes miss and drew a foul.
Much was made of Marshall's two 3-point shots in overtime, but Brown believes the three-point play and his fourth-quarter drive, resulting in two free throws, were Marshall's biggest contributions.
Quality foul shooting has been a constant all season. The Cavs established a franchise mark by making their first 28 attempts against the Seattle SuperSonics on Nov. 9. They also are on pace to break a team record for foul-shooting efficiency, .805 set in 1991-92 season, a season that saw Mark Price convert at a staggering .947 clip.
The league-leading stat is very much a team effort. The Cavs don't have an individual ranked among the top 20. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is 61-of-71 for .859. He was a career .766 shooter coming into the season.
Brown seems most impressed with the volume of free-throw opportunities. It tells him his team is aggressive on the offensive end and not willing to settle for jump shots. The Cavs have reached the line 30 times in a game on six occasions.
Not surprisingly, James (126) and Larry Hughes (88), who love driving to the basket, lead the Cavs in attempts. James is fourth in the league.
XFriday's game was not completed in time for today's edition.