It's possible that the situation also might dictate when it is ok to shoot. In a tie game, if you leave enough time when you shoot, theres a chance the opponent can get the rebound and call a timeout and get the ball at halfcourt with whatever time is left. If you shoot it with no time left, the worst you are risking is OT if the ball doesn't go in. However, if you are down 1, it doesn't matter if the opponent rebounds it, and if anything you can still foul them and possibly still have a shot. You are already going to likely lose if they get the rebound, so its ok to leave enough time for a tip in. Or maybe I am way overthinking it...