Crunch time in the NBA: The effectiveness of different play types

In professional basketball, the final few possessions often determine the result of a game. The coach’s decision on tactis 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-androll; 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).

Estudio completo: crunch time