Despite not having Rajon Rondo playing for them, the Boston Celtics found themselves up three points with right around 20 seconds left.  The Toronto Raptors had the basketball, and they had to decide whether or not to go for the quick two or run a set looking for a three point shot.  The Raptors decided to go for the quick two with a nice quick hitting play:

As the Raptors set up their offensive set, Paul Pierce is playing off of the inbounder (Sonny Weems) to make sure he cuts off any pass to the corner for a three point shot.  When the ref hands the basketball off to Weems, Amir Johnson flashes to the basketball.

After making the pass, Weems cuts off of Johnson.  Because Pierce was playing so far off of Weems, he can’t deny him after he inbounds the basketball and he is forced to go underneath Johnson (who ends up setting a screen as he hands the basketball off).

Weems gets the ball from Johnson and attacks the lane.  As this is happening, Andrea Bargnani is clearing out of the lane, going to the opposite corner.  Because of Bargnani’s three point shooting ability, Kevin Garnett is forced to follow him out there.

Pierce can’t get under Johnson quick enough, and Weems is able to put Pierce on his hip.  With Bargnani and Garnett cleared out of the lane, Weems has an easy path to the rim where he finishes strong.  Here is the play in real time:

If you decide to go for the quick two rather than the clean look from three, this is exactly what you want to do.  The Raptors only took two seconds to score, and that gives them options on the defensive end.

Because the Raptors scored so quickly, they now had two options.  They could have either fouled right away and turned the game into a three point contest, or they could have pressed up on the Celtics, tried to force a turnover, and then foul once they passed half court.  The Raptors opted for the latter.

Me personally, I like trying to get the steal before fouling, but not when it is a full court situation.  In the halfcourt, it is easier to get a trap/force a steal, and if it doesn’t work, the offensive players aren’t using the full length of the court to get away from the defense (meaning that it is easier to foul after trying for the steal and missing in the halfcourt vs. the fullcourt).  With that being said, if there was a time to do it, it would be when one of the best point guards in the NBA isn’t playing.  Barbosa is able to wrap around and poke the basketball away from behind, and the aftermath of all of this action is two foul shots that Amir Johnson knocks down.

After Johnson’s two free throws, the Raptors now found themselves up one point with 2.7 seconds left.  The Celtics try to go to Paul Peirce at his sweet spot on the elbow:

The play is well defended though.  DeRozen does a very good job of fighting through Garnett’s screen and closing out on Pierce on the elbow.  He doesn’t close out too out of control though, and he is able to stay with Pierce and challenge his baseline jumper, forcing the miss.

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Whether or not you agree with the strategy the Raptors took, you have to give Jay Triano and his team credit for executing to perfection down the stretch.  They wanted the quick two, and scored in three seconds.  They wanted to pressure before fouling, and they get the steal.  Great job from the Raptors late.