Yesterday against the Toronto Raptors, the Golden State Warriors decided to foul when they were up three points and turn the game into a foul shooting contest.  This doesn’t really happen in the NBA, but many experts/coaches feel like this is the correct decision.  My opinion on it is that it all depends on your team and who you are playing.  This is because when you are fouling, you extend the game, and that means more foul shots for your own team.  In this case, the Warriors are actually one of the best free throw shooting teams in the league (4th at 78%).  It also depends on how efficient the opposition is from the three point line, and in this case, Toronto is 4th in the league in three point shooting.

Add those two factors (that the Warriors are good at foul shooting and that the Raptors are good at 3 point shooting), and I think that the Warriors made the correct decision in fouling late.  I also think they did a good job of executing.  As we saw in the college ranks during the Xavier-Kansas State game, when you are fouling intentionally there is a chance that you foul when the opposing team takes a three, giving them three foul shots.  Let’s look at the the three fouls the Warriors take:

On this first play, the Raptors have no idea that the Warriors are going to foul.  Because of that, I would have liked to seen the Warriors wait a little bit before taking the first foul.  However, you don’t want to take any chances, and with Jarrett Jack moving away from the basket, there are worst times to take the foul.

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Late in a tied game against the Toronto Raptors, the Miami Heat needed a stop and they got one.  It wasn’t because of an individual defensive effort though.  On this particular play, good team defense and proper rotation is what got them the stop (and eventually the win).

After bringing up the ball the length of the court, Jose Calderon swings it to Jarrett Jack on the wing.  After making the pass, Calderon cuts through the lane coming off of a soft backscreen set by Chris Bosh.

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With the game tied and 9 seconds left, everyone and their mother knows that Kobe Bean Bryant will be getting the basketball.  So how was he able to get free for a pretty easy (for Kobe) jumper?  Some great execution from the Lakers and some poor execution from the Raptors:

After Ron Artest inbounds it to Pau Gasol, he cuts backdoor while Kobe comes to the basketball.  The Lakers have run a play like this in the past, except instead of a backdoor cut, it was a backscreen set.  Phil Jackson chose not to go with the backscreen, and I think that is smart.  It prevents the Raptors from switching the cut and denying Kobe outright.  On the other side, Lamar Odom sets a back screen for Derek Fisher.

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After Chris Bosh’s jumper extending the Raptors’ lead to 5 with 0:37 left, I thought that the Grizzlies were out of it.  However, they way they played the final 37 seconds was very smart, and that is what allowed them to comeback, get the game into overtime, and win the game in OT.  Let’s look at the three elements that allowed them to tie the game in the final 37 seconds.

The Quick Three

The Grizzlies come out of a timeout down by 5.  Now they have two options they can either go for the 2 or go for the 3.  The key though is that they need to get a shot at the rim quickly (we will get to that in a minute).  Mayo sets the downscreen for Zach Randolph in attempt to free him up at the top of the key.

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Alright,  I feel bad that I have got nothing for you, but Raptors Republic has has got you covered.  There they have an excellent Xs and Os breakdown of their game last night.  Highly recommended reading here.

There were two really good games with some nice execution late.  The first game that we are going to take a look at is the Lakers-Raptors game from yesterday.  The Lakers had the lead lake, but two plays for the Raptors that lead in fouls were able to help the Raptors get the win.

The Shooting Threat Of Bargnani

The great thing about being a great three point shooter is the way that the defense plays you.  Defenses need to close out hard because they respect the shot, and if you have an ability to attack the basket, this gives you a great advantage.  When you are a shooting threat from the center spot, it is even better, because you are usually matched up against guys who don’t really know how to close-out properly.

Here Pau Gasol is in help position as the pick and roll between Chris Bosh and Hedo goes on.  Hedo then makes the pass to Bargnani.

As Bargnani makes the catch, he doesn’t even need to pump fake, because Pau Gasol is already closing out on him real hard.  Bargnani rips the ball through and has Pau on his hip.  This gives him a lane right to the basket.

The help actually comes on time, but Bargnani is able to avoid it, take the ball under the basket, and hit the reverse lay-up while getting fouled.

The Play To Get Hedo Fouled

Here, the Raptors run a pick and roll late with the goal to isolate Pau Gasol on Hedo (because, as we talked about in the past, most teams switch any screens in the final moments of the game).

The pick gets set and the switch is made.  Hedo explores the right side, but there is nothing there, and he crosses over and goes back to the middle.

Hedo uses another screen from Bosh.  Here, the Raptors actually gave the Lakers a chance to switch back.  Pau and Ron Artest choose not to though.

Because they don’t switch the screen, Hedo is able to use is athletic advantage on Pau to get him on his hip.  He does just that and starts his drive to the basket.

Hedo gets into the lane and as he attempts a lay-up, he is fouled.  He knocks down the two foul shots and the Raptors come away with the win.

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The next game that we arre going to look at is the Magic-Bobcats game from Saturday.  This was another good game (until it got into overtime), but instead of good execution, it was a defensive breakdown that almost cost the Magic the game

Outside Opening Inside

Before we get to the late game play, I just wanted to show what makes Orlando so dangerous.

As the clock winds down to end the quarter, Marcin Gortat sets a screen for Vince Carter.  Look how the court is spread out.  The Magic have 4 legitimate outside threats with the one center.  A great way to stretch the court out.

After he sets his screen Gortat dives to the basket.  This serves two purposes, the first is that it may suck a defender in and allow for an open shot.  The second purpose is that if/when the Magic shoot a three, Gortat diving to the basket makes himself available for an offensive rebound.

As Carter swings the ball to Jameer Nelson, there is a problem.  Stephen Jackson has to decide to go defend Rashard Lewis (who is wide open right now) or stay on Gortat.

Jackson chooses to go out on Lewis, leaving Gortat open.  Nelson makes a great look-away pass to get it to Gortat down low.

Gortat makes the catch in the paint with the defense on his back.  He is able to finish strong with the dunk.

The Defensive Breakdown

Now we get to the defensive breakdown.  This to me looks like a lack of communication either in the huddle or on the court (Maybe both).

This is a nice play run by the Bobcats.  Boris Diaw is going to quickly make himself available, and after the pass is made, Stephen Jackson is going to come off a backscreen set by Raymond Felton.

After Felton sets the screen, he is going to come and get a handoff from Diaw.  For the Magic, this is where the breakdown happens.  You can see Nelson pointing (and most likely yelling) to Vince Carter.  Nelson wants Carter to switch and cover Felton as he covers Nelson.

However, Vince Carter doesn’t here him (or chooses to ignore him), so now the Magic have two defenders on one, and Boris Diaw (it ends up being Diaw because the handoff turns into a screen, and that gets switched by Dwight Howard)  is going to be open.  In this hectic-ness, Carter and Nelson need to figure out who is going to go out on Diaw.  Instead of just one defender going out on Diaw, both do.

This leaves Stephen Jackson wide open under the basket.  Jackson is actually open for a really long time here, but Felton can’t see him, because Dwight does a good job of getting big and closing the court down.  He doesn’t allow for Felton to see how open Jackson is.

As Felton uses his speed to turn the corner, he is able to finally see Stephen Jackson who is still wide open.  Jackson shouldn’t still be this wide open, but again Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson can’t figure out who is going to run to Jackson.  Nelson, decides he is going to stay with Diaw, and this forces Carter to try and cover a longer distance to get to Jackson.

He is unable to do so, and Felton makes the pass to Jackson, and he is able to finish right at the basket, tying the game, and sending it into overtime.

The Cavs have only lost 11 times so far this year in 43 total games, but there is a trend that is starting to develop when you look at who the Cavs have lost to.  The Cavs really seem to struggle on the defensive when there is a shooter in the frontcourt.  It doesn’t really matter if it is the PF or the C who can shoot because Anderson Varejao ends up covering them either way.  The Cavs like to put Shaq/Big Z on the less active frontcourt player (for example they were matched up against Bosh when they played Toronto), with Varejao covering the outside shooting threat.  Let’s look at 4 examples:

• 10/28 Loss To Toronto – Andrea Bargnani – 23 points on 11-15 shooting.
• 12/20 Loss To Dallas – Tim Thomas – 22 points on 7-14 shooting (only one of which was in the paint).
• 1/14 Loss To Utah – Boozer/Okur – 32 points on 10-28 shooting
• 1/20 Win vs. Toronto – Andrea Bargnani – 19 points on 7-15 shooting.

So why are stretch the court/shooting big men so successful against Cleveland?  Because Varejao is so active on the defensive end, he tends to over-commit, leaving slight openings where shooters can take advantage.  Here is an example:

Here the Raptors are running a play where there point guard, Jose Calderon, has an two screens to run off of.  Calderon picks Chris Bosh to be his screener, and Big Z is hedging out.

Because Big Z is one of the slower big men in the NBA, Varejao slouches down to help out on Chris Bosh’s roll.

As Varejao slouches, Bargnani spots up at the three point line.  He has a good 15-20 foot cushion.

Bargnani makes the catch with Varejao closing out, but Bargnani is so tall Varejao’s hand doesn’t effect the shot, which is knocked down.  Check it out in real time:

Every day we are going to look at an individual performance and examine just what happened.  Was it just a spectacular performance?  Was it poor defense?  Was it brilliant playcalling?  Find out here.

Rajon Rondo’s Triple Double

Today we are going to look at Rondo’s triple double from Sunday afternoon.

The Points

As per usual, Rondo was able to get most of his points (and his shots in the paint).  He was 1-1 from 3 (he banked that one in), and was 1-2 on long jumpers.  This is where the Raptors’ defense failed.  You want Rondo to shoot from the outside.  He is a better shooter this year than previous years, but you would still rather him taking jumpers instead of getting in the lane for most of his shots:

Here Paul Pierce gets the ball, and as this happens, Rondo starts to sneak around the defense, cutting backdoor almost unseen.

Pierce gets a screen as Rondo continues his cut.  Paul Pierce is such a threat with the basketball that everyone on the Raptors have to focus on him.

Pierce finds Rondo down low, and this is where the Celtics want to get him the ball.

This is because Rondo is a very good finisher down low, and the more baskets he gets down there, the better he plays.

The Assists

Another way Rondo benefits from having quality teammates around him is in terms of assists.  He has quality scorers all around him.  That isn’t to take anything away from Rondo’s passing ability though:

Here, Rondo gets a kick-out and he starts to attack the basket.  Here is where the Raptors defense makes a mistake.  Rondo does a hesitation dribble, faking a shot.  If Rondo wants to shoot it from here, let him.  There is no need to challenge the shot, and when Bargnani does, it gives Rondo an opening to attack the basket.

Rondo gets Bargnani on his hip, and he gets into the lane.  This is where he creates the most problems for his opponents.  Teams need to rotate to help him out and that leaves openings for his teammates.

As Rondo rises up, Turkoglu is on the wrong side of Rasheed Wallace.  Rondo notices this…

…and he floats a nice easy pass for Wallace.  Wallace makes the catch and finishes at the basket.

The Rebounds

This is the facet of Rondo’s game that most impresses me.  He isn’t a big PG (like Mark Jackson, Baron Davis, or Jason Kidd) that you equate with getting rebounds, but somehow he is always getting a ton of them:

Here, Rondo drives to the basket, forcing Chris Bosh to help out.

As Bosh helps out, Rondo kicks it out to Rasheed Wallace, who attempts a three pointer.  Another reason that Rondo gets a lot of rebounds is that he usually isn’t the man responsible to drop back on defense.  This is because most of his scoring plays and passes have him end up in the lane, so everyone there are other Celtics responsible to get back on defense.

Because PGs aren’t really used to boxing out, there is no real technique here, and Rondo is allowed to stand untouched as the ball approaches the rim.

The ball comes off the rim and bounces right to Rondo.  A little lucky?  Sure, but if there is someone boxing him out, that rebound doesn’t go to him.

Alright, I am going to experiment with another recap style.  Here, I will be breaking down one game in depth (the best game in my opinion), one game a morning.

The game I wanted to take a deep look at was the Magic-Raptors game.  I thought it was interesting that the Raptors beat the Magic at their game.  They hit 9 out of 20 threes, and looked real good on offense.  They also played some defense (which is enough for them), holding the Magic to just 29% shooting from deep.

What The Raptors Did Right

Good Looks At The Basket

The Raptors got a ton of good looks, and a lot of it had to do with them forcing the ball up the court.  Also, they got the ball into the middle of the floor, forcing the Magic defender’s to react, and putting them in tough positions:

Jarrett Jack really pushed the tempo all night.  Here, he gets to the middle and forces the Magic to collapse on him.  4 Magic defenders clog the middle, and Matt Barnes is the 4th.  He sinks in a little too deep, and gives a lackluster effort at the basketball, reaching in with his left hand.

Jack does a good job of hitting the open man (Antoine Wright), and Wright makes the catch ready to shoot.  There is no defender near him, and that allows him to step into the pass, make the catch, and pull up for the shot,

He gets the shot up before Barnes can effect it, and he knocks it down.

What The Magic Did Wrong

Poor Defense/Rotations

This was a common theme throughout the game.  The Magic got their rotations mixed up a couple times, and even after they recovered the effort wasn’t really there to stop the Raptors.

Here, Chris Bosh fumbles the basketball, and as he recovers Vince Carter comes over with the double team.  A lot of teams have a rule where you double team on the first dribble.  From what I know, teams like to double on the first meaningful dribble (one that attacks the basket).  Bosh is bobbling the ball backwards, and he dribbles it to recover.  There is no double team required here.

Carter’s double team forces the Magic to rotate back, and their is some confusion on the rotation.  Either Carter needs to rotate back to Jarrett Jack himself, or Jameer Nelson needs to slide up to Jack as Carter rotates to DeRozen.  Here, Nelson stays put expecting Carter to return to Jack.  It would work, except Carter starts to rotate towards DeRozen.  So the Magic have two guys going towards a man a pass away, while nobody goes to pick up the man with the ball.

Jack makes the catch and starts to drive.  Now if Carter or Nelson cut off Jack’s drive, they could probably force a pass and try to recover.  Nobody goes to pick up Jack though.  They both seem to be worried that Jack is going to make a pass to DeRozen…Vince Carter is pointing at him though.

Jarrett Jack gets into the paint and still nobody picks him up.

Vince Carter finally starts to to defend, but it is too late, and Jack is able to finish with the lay-up.

Dwight Howard’s Turnovers

Dwight Howard turned the ball over 9 times.  A lot of them were self-inflicted:

Dwight gets the ball in the post, but he isn’t really in great position (he is too high up and too far away from the basket).

He still tries to feel for is defender, and after a quick dribble, he kicks it out.

The idea is for Dwight Howard to get a repost.  However after making the pass, he doesn’t really establish better position (it’s not like he is going up against a big guy in Bargnani – he should be able to bully him).  Nelson gives the ball back to Dwight too quickly, and doesn’t give him enough time to establish better position.

Howard starts to drive middle, but because he is in the midpost instead of the lowpost it is easier for the help to come…

…so Dwight tries to spin baseline.  He is too far away from the basket though, and he needs to take a few more dribbles.  The ball gets knocked away from him, and it bounces off his leg and out of bounds.