The Breakdown: Understanding the Plays that Make L.A. Lob City

We break down the six important plays of the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Image via Complex Original
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A year ago, the Los Angeles Clippers finished the regular season with the league’s fourth-best offense. In their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, though, you wouldn’t have believed it. After posting an offensive rating of 111.62 in the regular season, the Clippers were held to just 94.7 points per game in that series and were bounced in six games.

What went wrong? All signs pointed to the team’s lackluster half-court offense. (A weakness even Chris Paul owned up to earlier in the season). The Clippers were great when they got out in transition, but they couldn’t find the basket when the game slowed down.

In the offseason, L.A. made moves to address the problem: in July, the team gave up Eric Bledsoe, Caron Butler, and a second-round pick for J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley—two guys who can make things happen in the half court.

So far, those moves seem to have paid off: the Clippers’ closed out the regular season with the league’s top offense, averaging 112.89 points per 100 possessions. The real test, though, begins now. Can the Clippers keep it going when the defensive intensity ratchets up a notch in the playoffs?

If they can, half-court offense will be the key. In this edition of “The Breakdown,” we take a close-up look at the Clippers’ offense. And for more playoffs coverage, don’t forget to check out Complex’s new hoops site TriangleOffense.com.

J.J. Redick Off-Ball Screens

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J.J. Redick Off-Ball Screens

Reddick—one of the Clippers’ offseason acquisitions—will be critical to L.A.’s success in the half court against the Thunder. Because of injury, Reddick played just 35 games during the regular season. But when he was on the court, Reddick was a key weapon in L.A.’s arsenal. Clippers’ coach Doc Rivers—who knows a thing or two about drawing up plays for NBA sharpshooters—has the Clippers running a variety of off-ball screens to get Reddick open on the perimeter. From there, the former Duke standout can do what he does best: shoot.

Drive and Kick Three-Pointers

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Drive and Kick Three-Pointers

This season the Clippers hoisted more threes than ever before—1,967 to be exact. Some of those came off plays designed for Reddick, but the majority came in the natural flow of the Clippers’ offense: Chris Paul penetrates and kicks it out to one of L.A.’s spot-up shooters on the perimeter.

Ball Screen for Chris Paul

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Ball Screen for Chris Paul

Staying in front of CP3 one-on-one is hard enough, but when Paul gets a high ball screen from all 6-11 and 235 pounds of DeAndre Jordan, it’s almost impossible. Once Paul gets that half step, he’s in attack mode: he can either stick the mid-range jumper, dish to Jordan on the roll, or take it all the way to the cup.

Blake Griffin in the Post

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Blake Griffin in the Post

The offseason additions of Reddick and Dudley have certainly been a big part of L.A.’s improved offense, but let’s not overlook Blake Griffin’s development. Blake has always been good for some highlight dunks, but he’s emerging as one of the game’s most dynamic offensive threats. One aspect of his game that doesn’t get enough attention is his passing out of the high post: Blake’s 3.9 assists per game are second best for the Clippers.

Matt Barnes Cuts

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Matt Barnes Cuts

Some guys just seem to have an innate sense for gaps in the opposing defense. Matt Barnes is one of them. He’s not a good shooter, but his knack for finding open lanes has made him one of the favorite targets for CP3 and Blake Griffin—and one of L.A.’s most consistent scorers.

Jamal Crawford Isolation

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Jamal Crawford Isolation

Jamal Crawford is instant offense. When the shot clock is winding down, there are few whose hands you’d rather want the ball in. The potential NBA Sixth Man of the Year boasts one of the game’s deadliest crossovers. All the Clippers need to do is give Crawford some space, and he’ll take care of the rest.

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