Crunch time in the NBA – The effectiveness of different play types in the endgame of close matches in professional basketball

Abstract

In professional basketball, the final few possessions often determine the result of a game. The coach’s decision on tactics may be critical to a team’s win or loss. This study investigated offense play types in the endgame (final 120 s) of 115 close basketball matches (≤5 points score differential) in the National Basketball Association. We video-analysed 996 plays and assessed the frequencies and outcomes of six defined play types: 1 × 1 without isolation; 1 × 1 with isolation; pick-and-roll; complex team play; inbound play; and transition play. Analyses revealed that pick-and-roll was employed the most and inbound play the least frequently. The 1 × 1 with or without isolation were the least effective play types, averaging 0.9–1.0 pts/possession. They were rather ‘static’ and exhibited relatively long duration, low action frequency (passes, screens, handoffs, cuts, drives) and high defence pressure on the shooter. In contrast, transition, inbound and complex team plays were the most effective (means 1.3–1.5 pts/possession). They displayed greater spatial dynamics either through motion speed (transition) or high action frequency (complex and inbound plays), and either led to over-represented uncontested shots or over-represented offensive rebounds and their effective utilisation. Pick-and-roll play was intermediate in these regards. Overall, plays led to 0.8 pts/possession when being in the lead vs. 1.4 pts/possession when being down. Increased spatial dynamics through high motion speed and/or high frequency of concatenated cooperative manoeuvres enhance the success probability of endgame play types in professional basketball.

Evolution of game-play characteristics within-season for the National Basketball Association

“…These results indicated that long distance shooting had a greater influence on the game dynamics throughout the in-season period with players becoming specialists and focusing their performance in terms of long distance shooting. 6 A strong three-point attack option has been suggested to be key for excellent offence because its existence provides opportunities for dribbling penetration, creates space for operation in the post and forces defenders into difficult choices between current assignments and helping others. 4,30,31 Moreover, Teramoto and Cross 25 pointed out that the playing style of ‘small-ball’ had gained popularity within the current NBA because it increased the number of three-point shots taken, which would result in better offensive efficiency when shots were made.…”

“…4 Previous research has illustrated that season-long performance may be supported by players' and teams' passing skills and defensive preparation. 5,6 Moreover, ball reversals, indirect screens, dribble penetration and ball screens were the four most frequently executed offensive tactics as the competition progressed during the season. 7 The high number of ball reversals indicated the importance of shifting the ball from one side of the court to the other in order to disrupt the opposition’s defence while the higher frequency of dribble penetration may be related to a faster style of play allowing players to attack the basket more frequently.…”

Effect of Ball Screen and One-on-One on the Level of Opposition and Effectiveness of Shots in the ACB

“…To this effect, coaches propose playing systems (sets) based on different game actions [ 20 ] according to whether the aim is to favour the actions of the ballhandler or the actions of the player without the ball [ 4 ]. This research will take an in-depth look at the actions linked to the ballhandler, such as ball screen (BS) and one-on-ones (1-on-1), distinguishing duels near the basket (1-on-1 inside) and duels far away from the basket (1-on-1 outside), also called “clear outs” [ 8 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Analyse der Interaktionen im direkten Block als vorbereitende und abschließende Angriffshandlung in zufällig ausgewählten Hauptrundenspielen der easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga 2017/18

“…Insbesondere unter Zeitdruck sind jedoch auch komplexere Handlungsmuster des 3 gegen 3 bis 5 gegen 5 hochgradig erfolgversprechend. Diese beschäftigen gegenüber isolierten 1-gegen-1-und 2-gegen-2-Situationen die komplette gegnerische Verteidigung und erschweren somit effektive Verteidigerhilfen (Christmann, Akamphuber, Müllenbach, & Güllich, 2018). Die jeweils nur zwei Angreifer involvierenden direkten Blocks bieten dem Angriffsteam in diesem Sinne viele Möglichkeiten, parallel ablaufende individuelle und gruppentaktische Handlungen in das mannschaftliche Handeln zu integrieren ("überlagernde Angriffsinteraktionseinheiten", Remmert, 2003).…”

“…Karipidis et al, 2010;Gómez et al, 2015;Lamas et al, 2015). Der quantitative und qualitative Stellenwert von Angriffsstrukturen höherer (mannschaftstaktischer) Ordnung (Christmann et al, 2018) sollte durch detaillierte Analysen überlagernder Angriffshandlungen (Remmert, 2003) erneut überprüft werden.…”