Kidd told Middleton to miss FT up 3 in order to avoid 4-point play

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd makes some head-scratching decisions.

For example, Kidd told Khris Middleton to miss the second free throw with the Bucks up by three points and 1.4 seconds left in Tuesday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It worked out, as LeBron James missed a full-court heave after collecting the rebound, but the decision seems strange.

The logic on Kidd's part doesn't quite add up.

Making the free throw would've put the Bucks up four points. In that scenario, all the Bucks needed to do was stand perfectly still with their hands down to avoid the foul. If the Cavaliers were to somehow tie, they would need to make a full-court heave while also being fouled on the shot.

Missing the free throw is mostly inconsequential, but it does open up a bigger possibility of overtime. The Cavaliers could either make a full-court heave, or draw a cheap foul on a 3-point attempt. Both scenarios were unlikely, but it was marginally more likely than tying a four-point game.