Raptors Playbook: Breaking down Danny Green’s 29 Points
Danny Green’s shooting performance against the Orlando Magic, in which he shot 7 for 10 from three point range and finished with 29 points overall, is tied for the 8th most three pointers made in franchise history. Let’s breakdown the sets, actions, and X’s & O’s that lead to his scoring barrage.
The full video is embedded below if you don’t want to read any of the written breakdown, but the play-specific clips are also embedded below each header with proper start and end times for easy navigation if you decide to follow along
BLOB “Chest” – 5 points (1 3PM)
This specific play sequence is very simple in nature, though this BLOB series does continue if the defense prevents a quick shot.
However, Orlando was unable to do so, as Green canned two catch-and-shoot jumpers coming off of the 4-Flat staggered screen.
For further explanation about this play, see my full play breakdown here.
SLOB “3” – 3 points (1 3PM)
While this play was not necessarily “drawn up” for Green, its main action produced another easy catch-and-shoot three pointer for the sharpshooter.
After Toronto faked its SLOB “1” play (a key feature of SLOB “3”), Kawhi Leonard flowed into a ball screen but opted to reject it. Due to his defender being unable to stop his drive to the rim, the Weak Side defenders had to stray away from their assignments and rotate towards Leonard’s drive. The extra attention paid to Leonard provided ample daylight for Green to hit his catch-and-shoot corner three pointer.
For further explanation about this play, see my full play breakdown here.
“52” Pinch Hammer – 0 points (0 3PM)
While this play didn’t add to Green’s totals, it was a nice pet-play called to capitalize on his hot shooting.
The Pinch Post trigger quickly flows into a DHO back to the Point Guard. This allows them to drive forcefully towards the baseline to throw a Hammer pass, while Green cuts towards the Weak Side corner after utilizing a Hammer screen. Clean catch-and-shoot three point attempt produced, and it counted for one of his three misses from deep against Orlando.
For further explanation about this play, see my full play breakdown here.
Point Handback – 2 points (0 3PM)
This quick hitter also has more options that flow from its main action, but Green’s confidence soaring through the roof did not force Toronto to pursue these options.
After Siakam used the Pindown first and exited through the paint, he created a large gap in the middle of the floor. This space allowed for Green to tightly curl the same screen shortly after and bully his way for another two points.
For further explanation about this play, see my full play breakdown here.
Double Drag Continuity ATO – 3 points (1 3PM)
To my knowledge, this was the debut of this exact play. However, variations of hit have been run by the Raptors over the past two seasons.
The play was triggered by a double drag screen for Lowry, while Green curled a pindown on the Weak Side. Lowry then flowed into a DHO with Leonard as Green continued his route to use the two bigs (who set the double drag screen) as a staggered screen. Another catch-and-shoot three pointer produced for Green as a result of Nurse dialling up his number.
For further explanation about this play, see my full play breakdown here.
Transition – 11 points (3 3PM)
For as much damage that was done in the half court via set plays, Green did most of his damage through advantages gained in transition. Toronto did a great job of throwing quick hit-ahead outlet passes to force Orlando to scramble, and Green thrived in the chaos.
Kickout – 5 points (1 3PM)
Additionally, the attention drawn by Green’s teammates in the half court afforded him the opportunity to bury another three pointer and attack a close out for an additional five points.
