You guys probably already know this, but I am a big fan of Doc Rivers and his late game play calls.  Last night with the Celtics down by 7 with 40 seconds left, they needed to get a quick three, and as usual Coach Rivers is able to get his team a wide open look:

After Paul Pierce inbounds the ball to Rajon Rondo, he comes across using a screen set by Ray Allen on the elbow.

After setting his screen, Allen comes off of a screen set by Glen Davis on the opposite elbow.  Allen uses this screen to flare out to the three point line, looking for a three.

Allen doesn’t come open, so the play continues.  After setting his screen for Allen, Davis sets a screen for Rondo.  Rondo uses the screen to attack gap, and this forces Jordon Hill (Davis’ man) to stay in help position rather than staying close to Davis.

This is important, because after setting a screen for Rondo, Davis sets a screen for Paul Pierce.  With all of his attention focused on Rondo, Hill is unable to see the screen, call it out, or help off of it.

Davis does a good enough job of creating space between Pierce and Battier, and Pierce is able to come off the screen, getting the pass from Rondo.  Look at Jordan Hill, if he was up on his man (instead of hedging against Rondo), he would have been able to switch the screen and contest Pierce’s shot.

Instead, Pierce is able to pull up and get off a wide open shot from three, knocking it down.  Here is the play in real time:

I mention Jordan Hill’s hedging in the post, but that doesn’t mean I think this is a mistake from Hill. Not at all, it is just a great play design by Doc Rivers to occupy Hill, allowing Pierce to come open off of the screen.