Stan Van Gundy drew up the perfect play to even the NBA Finals with the L.A. Lakers, but, unfortunately for the Orlando Magic, Courtney Lee couldn’t convert on a difficult layup off a backdoor screen.
While the play didn’t result in the game-winning shot, it did provide a fantastic look at the Xs and Os that occur during an NBA game.
This play by Van Gundy easily transfers to any college or high school team that needs a clean look at the bucket on a sideline out of bounds with less than a second remaining on the clock.
The play starts with Hedo Turkoglu (2) inbounding the ball. Dwight Howard (5) sets a screen as J.J. Redick (1) comes high.
The play is designed for Lee (3) who runs Kobe Bryant (X3) off a perfect screen by Rashard Lewis (4). Lee comes free on the backdoor cut and Turkoglu fires a pass to him. Pau Gasol (X5) recovers in time to defend the shot (and actually gets a piece of the rim).
It certainly wasn’t an easy layup but it was all the Magic could hope for with just 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation and a chance to tie the series at 1-1.
The play begins around the 18- to 19-second mark of the video clip.
