NBA Baseline out of Bounds Plays
A look at the most common baseline out of bounds actions NBA teams run.
In this week’s breakdown, we are going to look at the most common actions out of baseline out of bounds that NBA teams run. While all of the teams in the NBA don’t run all of these actions, the majority of teams have in the past or a wrinkle off these sets.
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Atlanta Hawks Floppy
A very common look in baseline out of bounds is “Floppy” where there are two bigs screening for two guards coming off screens either toward the ball or the basket.
The Hawks continue this initial action with the next option screening for the player who cut to the basket in the middle of the floor.
With Trae Young being the inbounder most of the time, this then flows into a double screen trying to free him up for a shot.
Sacramento Kings Floppy
While this is the same initial options, the Kings run a player off a backscreen to the basket first looking for a quick score.
After the player sets the backscreen he then cuts to the ball looking for a shot. If the shot is not open then this flows into a double screen in the middle of the floor for the inbounder.
The final option of this is to flow into Spain action or a backscreen for the ballscreener as the ballscreen takes place.
Another option they have is to throw it to Sabonis at the elbow and run split actions.
Nets/Heat/Pelicans/Magic/76ers/Suns/Mavs/Pistons STS
By far the most common set that NBA teams look to run is “Screen the Screener” action but commonly referred to as “Triangle” in NBA coaching terms.
This is a simple set that has a shooter set a backscreen for a player around the top of the key or free throw looking for a quick layup off the backscreen.
The player coming off the backscreen has the option to cut off the screen like Durant does here.
When teams try and jump out on the action for the shooter, this can leave the inbounder open for a cut.
The Heat run this action very high putting more pressure on the defense than other teams do.
Pelicans use shooter Trey Murphy III as the backscreen for player like Ingram and Zion, putting attention on the cut that opens up the shot.
They also will turn this action into a double screen and then look for a slip.
When the Magic run it they will use Franz Wagner to slip out and fake the screen often.
The Mavericks will use the same double-screen action but have the player coming off it cut to the basket right away against switching teams.
If nothing comes off the screening action they will also post up Luka off the inbound pass.
Boston Celtics STS Double
The Celtics run the turn action into a double screen as their main action out of baseline out of bounds.
Indiana Pacers Lift STS
The Pacers run the same Screen the Screener action but start off with a 1-4 low setup, with both players lifting up and then the backscreen into a screen toward the corner.
Having Haliburton as the inbounder helps so when the defense overplays the shooter to the corner the slip becomes wide open.
Cleveland Cavaliers Spain
The Cavs don’t really have great execution on their initial actions, but they flow really well into Spain pick and roll with the inbounder being the backscreener.
Golden State Warriors/Houston Rockets/Utah Jazz/NY Knicks Double
Another extremely common set, the double screen at the elbow sets up multiple options for teams like the Warriors, where any mistake is punish with a layup.
They will use the first screener to hold still and look for the first curl to the basket.
This flows and also goes right into a double screen for a shooter.
The Knicks intentionally use a guard cutting and having Randle come off the screen looking for a shot.
Chicago Bulls/Memphis Grizzlies Dive Double
The Grizzlies and the Bulls both have this double action but they set a quick screen on the ballside looking for a layup.
After then they look for the player off the double screen, good initial action takes some attention away from the main action they are trying to get.
Denver Nuggets Lift Pin
The Nuggets lift both players from the blocks like the Pacers and look for a quick pindown action opposite.
LA Clippers/LA Lakers ISO
Weirdly, both LA teams keep it super simple looking for ballside isolations for players like Paul George and Kawhi.
The Lakers will setup this action for LeBron and Anthony Davis, with no action on the weakside happening.
Look out for when teams overplay this and LeBron to get a quick backdoor.
Milwaukee Bucks Gut Exit
The bucks tend to change up their baseline out of bounds set more than other teams, and the main one they added this year was Gut dribble hand off action with Giannis and at the same time have a player cutting to the corner.
Oklahoma City Thunder Option
Running the same first action as the Grizzlies and Bulls, the Thunder look for a quick layup as well, then go into a hand off with the inbounder.
The player who cut off the first screen then has the option to go off screens on the baseline and the middle of the floor.
Portland Trail Blazers Circle
The Trail Blazers use Circle action out of baseline out of bounds that is usually looking for a lob or a quick layup.
If the defense goes on the inside then the player has the option to fade to the corner for a 3.
This play ends with the same option action the player can use after the circle cut inside.
Toronto Raptors Twirl
When the Raptors look for baseline out of bounds they spread the floor, having the player in the corner screen up and then twirl back looking for a 3.
This is especially effective setting up slips to the rim as well vs switching.
Minnesota Timberwolves First
The Timberwolves use the same first cut option to setup ISO’s for KAT to pop and catch and shoot or attack with space.
San Antonio Spurs/Washington Wizards Flat
Similar to this, the Spurs setup this Flat action they have run for years to get the defense to help on the first screen and then go into a hand off with no coverage.
The Wizards use Porzingis in this action as well to pop him for 3s and attacking closeouts.
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When you are watching the NBA this season and anything stands out to you or you want to see included in these breakdowns let me know and I will include them! Thank you again for all of your support and for sharing my work.
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Coach Pyper