Get The 2, Don’t Force A 3

Too many teams want to set up a 3-point play late in the game when trailing by 3 points when a quick 2-pointer allows you a better chance to score and extend the game.

WHY USE IT

Trailing by 3 points against the Houston Rockets in their first matchup this season, the Celtics were inbounding the ball with 11.6 seconds remaining on the clock. Instead of setting up a do-or-die 3-pointer, Brad Stevens drew up this play to net a quick 2 and allow the Celtics to extend the game (one Boston would end up winning). 

SET UP

All four players are on the opposite side of the inbounder (4). Your point guard (1) is near mid-court. 3, 2 and 5 are on a diagonal stagger between the far corner and wing. 

HOW TO PLAY

On the signal, 5 curls in front of the teammates and moves to the corner and as 5 passes by, then 2 sprints low through the lane. 1 takes a couple steps toward the ball [A]. 2 continues through the lane and curls toward the ball. 4 inbounds to 2, then runs toward the top of the key as 1 cuts inside the 3-point line [B]. 1 sets a backscreen for 4, who curls around the back of it and through the middle of the lane. 2 throws a pass to 4 on the cut for the easy layup [C]. 

A

B

C

TECHNIQUE

The entirety of this play took 4.3 seconds to run and left 7.3 seconds on the clock, which gave Boston more than enough time to extend the game and force a Houston turnover.