With the Bulls up by six late in their game against the Rockets, they were looking to get Kyle Korver an open look from three to help extend their lead. Coach Tom Thibodeau came up with a creative set that spaced the floor well and used Derrick Rose’s driving ability as a threat to free up Korver.
As Derrick Rose dribbles up the basketball along the sideline, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and Omer Asik line up in a row with their shoulders touching along the three point line. As this happens, Luol Deng comes over to set a screen for Derrick Rose.
As the three Bulls continue to stand along the three point line, Brad Miller decides to come over to help on any Derrick Rose drive to the basket.
As Rose comes off the screen, Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik pinch together as Kyle Korver pops out behind the three point line.
Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik squeezing together sets an effective double screen, picking off Kevin Martin (Korver’s man) and allowing Korver to step back uncovered.
Rose gets the basketball out to Korver, and he is able to catch, rise, and fire with nobody even close to him. Kevin Martin isn’t able to get around the double screen in time to close out effectively on Korver. Here is the play in real time:
What makes this play so effective is that the Rose/Deng PNR is such a threat that it forces the defense to pay attention to it so much that they don’t see the “pinch” develop along the three point line. It was also effective in this particular case because the Bulls ran this play one possession earlier, without even showing the “pinch.”
The Rockets probably thought that the Bulls were setting up along the three point as a decoy yet again. Except they ran the “pinch” and were able to get Korver an open three.
