OK, no Morning Shootaround today (although I am going to be sticking with the format I used yesterday, I liked how it turned out) because the only game yesterday was Knicks-Bobcats.  Because I live in the tri-state area, I couldn’t access the game via LPBroadband to get screenshots for a full game breakdown.

It was a real entertaining game though, and despite the Knicks turning the ball over at a comical rate in the 2nd half (including but not limited to throwing it to the wrong team, running into each other going for a pass, and throwing it to nobody out of bounds) they were able to pull out the win.  Another funny thing about this game is that if you look at the numbers, you would think that the Bobcats won.  Seriously, they hit the same number of 3s, went to the line more, had 11 fewer turnovers, 8 more steals, and had more offensive rebounds.  The Knicks were a tad more efficient of the offensive end (better FG% and 3P%) and got easier shots (more points in the paint).  That was enough to give them the slight edge.

As for the possession we are breaking down, it is the play with the Knicks up 1, around 1:30 left Danilo Gallinari hit a 3 after some nice ball-movement (we aren’t going to look at the 30 footer he drilled without hesitation).  The Knicks and the Bobcats were exchanging deep shots, and the first team to miss was probably going to be the team that was going to lose.  This three by Gallinari was basically the dagger.

The Knicks start the possession with a side pick and roll between David Lee and Chris Duhon.  Lee doesn’t really get a good screen set, but he is so mobile, that the Bobcats have to worry about his roll, so that prevents the Bobcats from getting a good hedge/switch on Duhon.

Because of that, Duhon is able to get his defender on his hip, and that allows for him to get a lane.  The Bobcats defender I underlined is in perfect help position.  He is in the middle of the lane, preventing any lay-up and forcing a pass outwards.

The next step is getting the correct rotation.  The Bobcats defender in the paint did his job and forced the pass out, the rest of the defense sort of fails on this possession.  The Bobcats send two players at Wilson Chandler, who catches the ball on the wing.  Only one player is supposed to run out on him,

The Bobcats defender who misrotated, realizes his mistake and tries to recover, but it is too late.

It’s funny, the mis-rotation by the Bobcats sets up the Knicks play even better.  The two steps over the defender takes allows for Jarred Jeffries’ screen to catch the defender and make the close-out even harder.

Gallinari makes the catch with enough space to pull up and not be effected by the close-out.  He hits the three, putting the Knicks up 4, and effectively winning the game.

Here it is in live action: