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NBA basketball is a beautiful game where it often feels like most talented players on the planet operate in an organic and reflexive way, but careful design by coaches always guides the process. Occasionally the design and execution of a set play pushes to the forefront of the action, and head coaches flash their play-making ability that is usually operating behind the scenes. This series is meant to make sure quality plays that translate perfectly from the white board to court are re-examined and explored more thoroughly.
This post takes a look at a Mike Dunleavy three-pointer, assisted by Stephen Jackson, from the third quarter of the Jan. 25th game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets. The Bucks managed to pull off an unexpected 105-99 road win, and plays like this certainly helped the effort. The other plays analyzed so far this season are: (1) Brandon Jennings' defensive breakdown in the fourth quarter in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks and (2) a Shaun Livingston dunk assisted by Drew Gooden in a Bucks win over the Houston Rockets.
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Game situation: Andrew Bogut left the game at the 2:31 mark in the opening period with what turned out to be a broken ankle, but the Bucks closed a 10-point halftime deficit in the third quarter with a decisive 20-0 run. Scott Skiles had a very nice game, and ran an interesting set play to get Mike Dunleavy a wide open look at a three in the left corner. Here's how it happened.
A few things you should know: I make up the names for the plays based on their features and draw my own observations after selecting and replaying the clip an unhealthy amount on mySynergySports.com.