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Coach’s Decision: Did Terry Stotts make the right call?

By Shawn P. O’Connor

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 18, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 18, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Did going for a layup with less than 10 seconds to go while down by three make sense? Yes!

On a disappointing night in the Moda Center, it’s only natural to find a scapegoat. Blame poor shooting, a lack of aggression by Jusuf Nurkic or bad defense on Anthony Davis. Whatever you do, don’t blame Coach Stotts and his last offensive play call.

Related Story: What did we learn about the Blazers in Game 1?

For those that don’t know how the end of the game went down, Portland had climbed within one point and had possession of the basketball.

Under 20 seconds remained when Damian Lillard drove the basketball and attempted a floater that missed the mark. After two Anthony Davis free throws, Stotts drew up a triple-option play that ended with trying to find Meyers Leonard on a flare screen. Jrue Holiday broke up the pass, leading to another play in which Pat Connaughton drove the lane for a layup, which got blocked.

Davis hit his a pair of free throws for the Pelicans and that’s all she wrote. Many of my colleagues here at the Rip City Project, along with a large portion of the fan base, believe that a three-point shot should’ve been attempted in the final seconds. In my opinion, this would have been a bad play call for several reasons.

Game Situation

With only six seconds left after the layup was blocked, a missed three point shot would’ve ended the game. However, a made layup gives the Blazers plenty of time to steal the ball and score for the win, or foul and send New Orleans to the line.

Two made free throws by the Pelicans would give Portland around five seconds. This time, the Blazers could attempt a three pointer for the tie with plenty of time to get off a good shot. Any missed free throws opens up a three-point shot for the win or two-pointer for the tie.

Three-Point Shooting

Portland had a subpar night from beyond the arc, shooting 12/39 from distance. If the Pelicans’ defense took away a Lillard or CJ three, the rest of the team’s numbers from distance were even worse: 4/20 on the game.

When you only have time for one shot from distance or a chance at a high percentage layup with an opportunity to extend the game, I choose the latter.

New Orleans had been letting other Blazers take open threes, betting their shots wouldn’t fall. On the final play, they swarmed Dame and CJ as expected. Likely any three-pointer attempted wouldn’t have come from either guard.

Next: Blazers need to capitalize on home court advantage

Despite the disappointing result, try to not blame Terry Stotts. He took a team that transitioned from a 0.500 eighth seed to the third seed in a crowded Western Conference.

Coach Stotts made the right decision and designed a play that looked for a three from Dame or CJ before going to its backup plan of finding the high percentage shot down low. It didn’t work out, but it was the right call for the situation.