Raptors’ Xs and Os: Getting free above the break 

It starts with Quickley getting off ball and setting a flex screen, usually for one of the Raptors’ star wings, Brandon Ingram or Scottie Barnes. Due to their gravity as scorers – both are strong finishers at the rim – defences will often overload on this action. First Daniss Jenkins and Javonte Green both go with Ingram, leaving Quickley to run unchecked off the pin down from Poeltl for the wide-open triple. Cash.  

Then we see why the play can be effective if the defence doesn’t load up on the flex screen, as the Denver Nuggets are forced to switch Jamal Murray onto Ingram, who catches overtop from Barnes for the easy finish.  

We know the Raptors love to have Quickley catching off pin-down screens to unleash triples. He does the same in the Raptors’ “unstoppable SLOB” play, and Rajaković told me as much earlier this season when I asked him about Quickley playing with Jamal Shead more often.  

“It allows Immanuel to be off the ball (more) as well, where he’s really good at coming off some pin downs and also spacing the floor,” Rajaković said.  

Now with Quickley making his return, admirably playing through plantar fasciitis as the Raptors hunt for a real playoff spot, it stands to reason we could see them start running this play again.  

Next up we have a fun and dynamic action; a ghosted screen that flows into a flare, producing various reads.  

The Raptors ran this play for Gradey Dick a lot at the beginning of the season, but obviously don’t anymore, as he doesn’t play in general outside of garbage time. The first successful example has Jamison Battle and all his shooting gravity ghosting and flying off the flare, causing Julian Champagnie to chase hard over, giving Battle a step on the defence. He takes advantage.  

Alternatively, it can work the other way in more passive coverages. Marvin Bagley III is in drop and Sandro Mamukelashvili is left with enough daylight to let it fly. Then Mamu gets another open 3, this time as the flare screener, as the Suns help on Shead’s drive while Ja’Kobe Walter runs through the action.  

Last, we have Quickley again, who like Battle is chased over the flare due to his shooting prowess. He uses the space to slink into the paint, drawing the low man, Caris LeVert, from the corner and opening up a triple for RJ Barrett. Quickley hasn’t been great at accessing the middle of the floor or playmaking from there throughout his career but has taken small strides this season. This action gives him a jumpstart.  

The pacing of this play, its versatility, and that it often incorporates guard screening has made it a favourite of mine. And the three players who arguably can benefit most from freedom above the break — RJ Barrett, Battle, and Quickley — also happen to lead the team in half-court offensive on-off differential, when excluding offensive rebounds. Battle and Quickley lead the team in catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage, while Barrett uses that space to charge downhill to the rim.

With only three games left in the season and the Raptors clinging to the sixth and final proper playoff spot, they’ll need to dig deep for every advantage they can muster. And once the play-in or playoffs come around, that dial will be cranked up an extra notch, all the way to 11. While the Raptors have run roughshod in transition recently, their half-court offence leaves much to be desired. Watch for coach Rajaković and the Raptors to continue getting creative in how they produce buckets.