With just 7 seconds left on the shot clock and 2:51 left in the game, the Miami Heat had the basketball on the baseline with a 2 point lead.  Looking to get a good – but quick – look, the Heat decided to run a set play from the baseline.  The result is one of my favorite set plays of the season:

The play starts with the Mismi Heat getting in a box formation, but instead of starting the bottom players on the blocks, they are up towards the elbow.  As the ball goes to the trigger man, LeBron James, Mike Miller uses a screen set by Udonis Haslem to get to the corner.  Because Miller was knocking his shot down this game, this action really draws the attention of the defense.  Not only does Derrick Rose trails Miller over the top of the screen, but Carlos Boozer strays away from Haslem to beat Miller to the corner and take the pass away.

Once Miller gets to the corner, Dwyane Wade flashes straight to the basketball.  No screen, no jab step in the other direction, just a straight sprint to the basketball.  This is another action designed to draw help defense, in addition to Ronnie Brewer trailing Wade, Joakim Noah gets sucked in to help on the cutting action.

What these two flashes to the basketball did was draw the defense to the basket.  All five Bulls’ defenders are below the restricted area if you extend it along the width of the court.  This allows Haslem to set up a screen in the middle for Chris Bosh who flares behind it.

The screen set by Haslem wasn’t to free Bosh up (he was already open), instead, it was designed to knock Bosh’s man off of his path as he closes out on him.  That is exactly what happens as Bosh makes the catch and knocks down the wide open jumper, extending the Heat’s lead to four points.  Here is the play in real time:

On set plays like this, you usually see one decoy, but rarely see two.  That is exactly what happens here as both Miller coming off the screen and Wade running straight to the basketball draws two defenders.  The secondary action of this play is also fantastic with Haslem setting the screen for Bosh instead of relying on Bosh just cutting off of the basketball.  With all of that being said, what really makes this play is the timing.  If Miller or Wade cuts too soon, you won’t really have the same effect of drawing the entire defense toward s the baseline.  Great design by coach Erik Spoelstra, even better execution by the Heat players.