[akronim]

Why not keep them out there and get a lead sooner, then hope to keep the lead if they do foul out?

[detst]

I think the idea is that having a lead early versus late gives the opposition a more clear goal with the time to come back.

Basketball games and seasons are very long. Players won't be focused in the entire season or for entire games. Having a deficit to come back from, with the time to do it, gives them a clear objective to focus in on.