One of the ways the Cleveland Cavaliers can be advantageous against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 and in the NBA Finals would be to slow them down.
The first set here is a simple flex motion offense the Cavs ran late in the regular season that proved to be a successful option heading into the playoffs. During the 2016 NBA playoffs, in half court offense scenarios, the Cavaliers are #1 in PPP (points per possession) with .99, and 2nd in percentage of possessions where they score at least one point with 44.3%.
This flex has players constantly moving with basket cuts, flex screens, hand-offs, down-screens, and pick & rolls. Like most flex offenses, this does not have one set course of action. There are multiple options with many read and react decisions based on what the defense shows and does. If the Cavs can slow the Warriors down, keep an eye out for this or any flex-type motion offense.
Next, is a Cavaliers BLOB (baseline out of bounds), which has helped them be one of the most efficient BLOB and late shot clock teams in the 2016 NBA Playoffs. With the shot clock under 4 seconds, the Cavs lead all teams in the playoffs in made field goals and points, with LeBron James leading all players in the playoffs in made field goals with 26. As a team, they also rank 4th in percentage of possessions where they score at least one point, and 4th in overall made field goals.
This out of bounds play is used for late shot clock scenarios. It has a few good options with typically two of your best shooters flaring out to the corners. What I like most about this action is the point guard back-screening for the forward at the top of the key. With players like LeBron James and Kevin Love, this can be hard to guard since the forward is initially looking to cut downhill to the basket for a layup. If the defense is denying that, the forward is popping for a shot.
During Game 2 tonight, watch for where a forward cuts downhill from the top of the key, and shooters flare to the corners, if the Cavs get in a late shot clock, BLOB scenario.
Dustin Dobbs recently served as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Fairfield University and on the staff at UMass for four seasons. His “Inside The Film Room With Dustin Dobbs” is featured here regularly. Make sure to connect with Dustin on Twitter @d_dobbs_hoops or contact directly at ddobbs5@gmail.com
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