About This Play/Drill

The Spurs trailed the Grizzlies by 3, with 22 seconds left, and had the ball on the sideline. Popovich and the Spurs are known for their "Hammer Action," which is a baseline drift play. After a zipper screen to get the ball inbounds, the Spurs designed a "Hammer Action." Behind Kawhi Leonard's drive, they set a down screen for Patty Mills. The misdirection put the Grizzlies into a defensive scramble. On the pass to Mills, Kawhi's defender left to help. Kawhi spaced to the corner, where Mills made the extra pass. This resulted in a wide open 3 for Kawhi Leonard, which tied the game. In the tough scenario of needing a 3, late in the game, the Spurs got the rare uncontested look. A great design, with tremendous execution. Despite Marc Gasol's game winning shot, handing the Spurs a loss, this was the obvious "Xs and Os Play of the Game!"