This year’s N.B.A. finals feature two strikingly different offenses. Over all, the Oklahoma City Thunder rely on penetration-and-pitch plays that create 3-point and close-range shots. The Miami Heat, in contrast, rely on strategic player positioning to create effective spacing for isolation plays that enable midrange and close-range scoring chances for their superstars.
3-Point Shooting
Collectively, the league takes 22 percent of its field-goal attempts from beyond the 3-point line, but only 20 percent of the Heat’s attempts are 3-point shots. Conversely, the Thunder rely much more on a long-distance strategy: 26 percent of their field-goal attempts are from beyond the 3-point line. All three of the Thunder’s young stars — Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook — are prolific 3-point shooters.
The Heat’s big three — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — are less likely to shoot 3-pointers. But on each team, the best 3-point shooter is not a star player. Thabo Sefolosha (44 percent) leads the Thunder, and Mike Miller (45 percent) tops the Heat.
Midrange Shooting
The Heat shoot a lot of midrange jump shots. These largely derive from isolation situations involving Wade or James. In all, 40 percent of Miami’s field-goal attempts are from middle distance. The Thunder, despite the effectiveness of Durant and Westbrook from midrange, take only 34 percent of their shots from that area of the court, well below the N.B.A average. The most effective midrange shooters in the series? Shane Battier (50 percent) and Mario Chalmers (47 percent) of the Heat, and Durant (47 percent) of the Thunder.
Close-Range Shooting
The Thunder and the Heat have similar close-range shooting statistics: both attempt about 40 percent of their field goals within eight feet of the rim; and both convert 59 percent, surpassing the league average of 55 percent. Both teams feature young, athletic players who thrive near the rim. James is successful on 71 percent of his shots inside eight feet — leading all players in this series by far. Wade shoots 62 percent, and Durant makes 63 percent. The Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins is the most traditional big man in the series; more than 75 percent of his shots are close-range attempts, but he hits only 56 percent.
//offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/the-hottest-spots-for-their-shots/
