Late and Close Logic?

What is a team supposed to do in late/close situations? When do you start fouling?

CPU vs CPU (Bulls v Celtics in game 4 of the first round playoffs.) Bulls down 3 with 16 seconds remaining. Rose drives in for a layup in traffic, misses. Bulls intentionally foul Rondo. Rondo misses both FT's. 2 seconds remain. Bulls inbound ball, but the ball deflects off Bradley, rolls down court, time expires.

At 16 seconds, down 3, I expected the Bulls to run the clock then go for the final shot, or at least go for a quick 3 to tie the game.

Going for a quick layup with 16 seconds and down 3, especially with someone as capable as Rose, is nothing out of the ordinary in NBA basketball. What the AI lacks in those situations is actually finishing the play quickly and not run down the clock and then go for a two pointer. That's obviously not the way to go.

The game has had questionable decision making by the CPU when it comes to quickly scoring with very little time left, like < 3 seconds, for a while now. Stuff like not even going for a three when needed and bad out of bounds playcalling that result in halfcourt heaves. It's not ideal to say the least, but I think it has gotten a bit better this year.

There was a similar situation in another game. Rose went for a quick layup, but the lane was wide open.

This time, as you mentioned, he took way too much time off the clock trying to force his way under the basket.