For pity's sake, I can't decide if you're being obtuse willfully or just don't comprehend how time works. The game was already put away, as in, zero chance that the Knicks could come back and win it at that point with proper execution. IT risked that guarantee by hoisting an early, contested, low percentage long two off the dribble in isolation with ten seconds on the clock.
Now, let's look at the percentages on that shot. IT makes 38% of his pull-up jumpers overall, but only 33% of his pull-up threes (despite taking three of those per game), meaning he makes 43% of his mid-range jumpers. Pretty good, right? Well, if you look at his shot chart, you'll see that he makes far more of his jumpers on the left half of the court than the right half, which makes sense because he is left-handed. He actually shoots about 30% from the area he took the shot at the end of the game. That means that he is going to miss that shot far, far more than he makes it.
The fact that it was a long two is going to mean a higher probability of a long rebound, leading to a runout and open transition three for one of the most clutch finishers in NBA history.
It was the wrong decision to make, but had a good result because he knocked down the shot.
I hope Malone is more patient than I am because IT, Jimmer, Cousins or any other King would be running ladders for days for risking giving away a win on a selfish, dumb shot like that.
Edited to add stats about just what a bad shot that shot was.
