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Game plans · Saturday, March 21

How each team beats its opponent. Where to attack, and what to take away.

Plan any matchup

Based on 2025-26, with the current roster
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Bulls at Knicks

How the Bulls beat the Knicks

  1. TargetTarget this lineupWhen Anunoby, Bridges, Brunson, Towns and McBride share the floor (91 min), they allow 129.1 per 100, against 114.1 for the team: attack it.
  2. TempoPush the paceThe Bulls play at 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes (2nd in pace), the Knicks at 96.1 (26th). Run and make them keep up.
  3. Take awayTake away the corner 313.6% of Knicks shots come from the corners (2nd most) and they make 41.6% (6th). The Bulls defense there ranks 7th (37.4% allowed).
  4. Key scorerKey scorer: Jalen BrunsonBrunson (26.0 points per game): best from midrange (51% on 296 shots, league 42%), worst at the rim (63%, league 66%).
  5. AttackAttack the above-the-break 332.3% of Bulls shots come from above the break (9th most), and the Knicks allow 35.5% there (21st of 30).

How the Knicks beat the Bulls

  1. TempoSlow it downThe Knicks play at 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes (26th in pace), the Bulls at 101.9 (2nd). Make it a half-court game.
  2. AttackAttack midrangeThe Knicks shoot 44.9% from midrange (2nd), and the Bulls allow 43.1% there (25th of 30).
  3. Key scorerKey scorer: Norman PowellPowell (21.7 points per game): best in the paint (51% on 159 shots, league 44%), worst from the corners (33%, league 39%).
FG% by zone. Offense rank: 1st = best shooting. Defense rank: 1st = lowest FG% allowed, 30th = most.
ZoneCHI offenseNYK defenseNYK offenseCHI defense
At the rim62.7% (30th)64.2% (6th)65.8% (18th)65.0% (8th)
Paint44.0% (18th)44.2% (17th)45.2% (13th)42.4% (6th)
Midrange41.0% (18th)39.9% (8th)44.9% (2nd)43.1% (25th)
Corner 337.3% (22nd)37.8% (9th)41.6% (6th)37.4% (7th)
Above-the-break 334.9% (17th)35.5% (21st)35.3% (12th)36.6% (29th)

Matchups on Sat, Mar 21

10 games
  • Thunder at WizardsFinal

    How the Thunder beat the Wizards

    1. TurnoversPressure the ballThe Thunder force turnovers on 14.0% of plays (2nd), and the Wizards give it away on 13.2% (26th of 30).
    2. Take awayTake away midrange12.1% of Wizards shots come from midrange (5th most) and they make 43.4% (8th). The Thunder defense there ranks 1st (38.0% allowed).

    How the Wizards beat the Thunder

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderGilgeous-Alexander (31.1 points per game): best from midrange (54% on 332 shots, league 42%), worst from above the break (39%, league 35%).
    2. TurnoversTake care of the ballThe Thunder force turnovers on 14.0% of plays (2nd) and the Wizards give it away on 13.2% (26th of 30).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Grizzlies at HornetsFinal

    How the Grizzlies beat the Hornets

    1. GlassFinish possessions: box outThe Hornets grab 30.5% of their misses (4th) and the Grizzlies rank 29th on the defensive glass (70.9%).
    2. Take awayTake away the above-the-break 337.3% of Hornets shots come from above the break (2nd most) and they make 36.3% (5th). The Grizzlies defense there ranks 18th (35.2% allowed).

    How the Hornets beat the Grizzlies

    1. GlassCrash the offensive glassThe Hornets grab 30.5% of their misses (4th), and the Grizzlies rank 29th on the defensive glass (70.9%).
    2. AttackAttack the corner 3The Hornets shoot 42.8% from the corners (3rd), and the Grizzlies allow 39.6% there (23rd of 30).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Lakers at MagicFinal

    How the Lakers beat the Magic

    1. AttackAttack the paintThe Lakers shoot 48.8% in the paint (1st), and the Magic allow 45.3% there (23rd of 30).
    2. AttackAttack the rimThe Lakers shoot 73.4% at the rim (1st), and the Magic allow 67.5% there (21st of 30).

    How the Magic beat the Lakers

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Luka DoncicDoncic (33.5 points per game): best at the rim (79% on 174 shots, league 66%), worst from midrange (44%, league 42%).
    2. AttackAttack the rim32.6% of Magic shots come at the rim (6th most), and the Lakers allow 70.5% there (29th of 30).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Cavaliers at PelicansFinal

    How the Cavaliers beat the Pelicans

    1. TargetTarget this lineupWhen Bey, Murphy, McGowens, Fears and Queen share the floor (96 min), they allow 132.1 per 100, against 119.9 for the team: attack it.
    2. AttackAttack the paintThe Cavaliers shoot 47.8% in the paint (4th), and the Pelicans allow 47.9% there (28th of 30).

    How the Pelicans beat the Cavaliers

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Donovan MitchellMitchell (27.9 points per game): best in the paint (55% on 309 shots, league 44%), worst at the rim (64%, league 66%). 39% on the left side, 45% on the right; push him left.
    2. AttackAttack the corner 3The Pelicans shoot 39.2% from the corners (9th), and the Cavaliers allow 40.1% there (25th of 30).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Warriors at HawksFinal

    How the Warriors beat the Hawks

    1. TurnoversTake care of the ballThe Hawks force turnovers on 13.2% of plays (6th) and the Warriors give it away on 13.3% (27th of 30).
    2. TempoSlow it downThe Warriors play at 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes (18th in pace), the Hawks at 100.7 (7th). Make it a half-court game.

    How the Hawks beat the Warriors

    1. TurnoversPressure the ballThe Hawks force turnovers on 13.2% of plays (6th), and the Warriors give it away on 13.3% (27th of 30).
    2. Key scorerKey scorer: Stephen CurryCurry (26.6 points per game): best from midrange (52% on 91 shots, league 42%), worst at the rim (68%, league 66%).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Heat at RocketsFinal

    How the Heat beat the Rockets

    1. TempoPush the paceThe Heat play at 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes (1st in pace), the Rockets at 95.2 (29th). Run and make them keep up.
    2. Key scorerKey scorer: Kevin DurantDurant (26.0 points per game): best in the paint (59% on 393 shots, league 44%), worst from above the break (40%, league 35%).

    How the Rockets beat the Heat

    1. TempoSlow it downThe Rockets play at 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes (29th in pace), the Heat at 102.8 (1st). Make it a half-court game.
    2. Key scorerKey scorer: Giannis AntetokounmpoAntetokounmpo (27.6 points per game): best at the rim (76% on 411 shots, league 66%), worst from midrange (27%, league 42%).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Pacers at SpursFinal

    How the Pacers beat the Spurs

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Victor WembanyamaWembanyama (25.0 points per game): best at the rim (75% on 389 shots, league 66%), worst from midrange (39%, league 42%).
    2. AttackAttack midrange11.6% of Pacers shots come from midrange (7th most), and the Spurs allow 42.5% there (22nd of 30).

    How the Spurs beat the Pacers

    1. AttackAttack midrangeThe Spurs shoot 43.6% from midrange (7th), and the Pacers allow 45.4% there (30th of 30).
    2. Key scorerKey scorer: Pascal SiakamSiakam (24.0 points per game): best in the paint (47% on 330 shots, league 44%), worst from midrange (33%, league 42%). 34% on the left side, 43% on the right; push him left.

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Clippers at MavericksFinal

    How the Clippers beat the Mavericks

    1. TempoSlow it downThe Clippers play at 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes (28th in pace), the Mavericks at 101.1 (4th). Make it a half-court game.
    2. AttackAttack the paint21.5% of Clippers shots come in the paint (6th most), and the Mavericks allow 45.5% there (24th of 30).

    How the Mavericks beat the Clippers

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Brandon IngramIngram (21.5 points per game): best from the corners (52% on 93 shots, league 39%), worst from above the break (33%, league 35%).
    2. TempoPush the paceThe Mavericks play at 101.1 possessions per 48 minutes (4th in pace), the Clippers at 95.6 (28th). Run and make them keep up.

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • 76ers at JazzFinal

    How the 76ers beat the Jazz

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Lauri MarkkanenMarkkanen (26.7 points per game): best from the corners (43% on 76 shots, league 39%), worst from midrange (29%, league 42%).
    2. AttackAttack the rim33.4% of 76ers shots come at the rim (5th most), and the Jazz allow 72.0% there (30th of 30).

    How the Jazz beat the 76ers

    1. TurnoversTake care of the ballThe 76ers force turnovers on 12.8% of plays (8th) and the Jazz give it away on 12.8% (24th of 30).
    2. TempoPush the paceThe Jazz play at 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes (3rd in pace), the 76ers at 98.8 (15th). Run and make them keep up.

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Bucks at SunsFinal

    How the Bucks beat the Suns

    1. TurnoversTake care of the ballThe Suns force turnovers on 13.9% of plays (3rd) and the Bucks give it away on 13.3% (27th of 30).
    2. AttackAttack the rimThe Bucks shoot 68.7% at the rim (5th), and the Suns allow 67.9% there (23rd of 30).

    How the Suns beat the Bucks

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Tyler HerroHerro (20.5 points per game): best in the paint (58% on 165 shots, league 44%), worst from midrange (36%, league 42%).
    2. Take awayTake away the corner 313.4% of Bucks shots come from the corners (3rd most) and they make 42.9% (2nd). The Suns defense there ranks 3rd (36.4% allowed).

    2025-26 so far

    Full preview →Full plan
How this works

Each plan is a short list of rules applied to both teams' season numbers. Every item shows its numbers and ranks out of 30 so you can check it. At most 5 items per team, the biggest edges first.

  • Attack: a shot zone where the team is good (top 10 in FG% or in share of its shots) and the opponent's defense there is bottom 8 in FG% allowed (bottom 10 if that finds fewer than 2).
  • Take away: the opponent's favorite zone (top 5 in share, top 8 if fewer than 2 qualify) where they are also efficient (top 10 FG%), with the team's own defensive rank there.
  • Target: of the opponent's 5 most-used lineups, the one that allows the most points per 100 possessions, with at least 100 possessions and at least 3 points worse than the team's own defensive rating. All 5 players must still be on the team.
  • Key scorer: the opponent's top scorer on the current roster (100+ shots). Best and worst zones compare his FG% with the league average there (50+ shots per zone). A side lean shows only when he has 60+ shots on each side and a gap of 6+ points. Left and right are as our shot charts draw them (rim at the bottom), and shots at the rim are left out of the side split.
  • Tempo and glass: a pace gap of 2+ possessions per 48 minutes; offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding and turnovers when one team is top 5 and the other bottom 5 (widened to 8 when fewer than 2 edges show up).

Data: team zones come from every counted regular season shot (made and missed; backcourt heaves left out; left and right corner 3s combined). Defense zones use the shots each team allowed. Lineups come from our play-by-play lineup stints. Before a team has played 10 games this season, its plan uses last season's numbers with today's roster, and lineups that no longer exist are skipped.

What it cannot see: there is no tracking data, so no defender distance, individual matchups or play types (pick and roll, isolation, post ups). Team zone numbers include every player a team used, even ones who have left. Injuries and rest are not in the plan, and season numbers can hide a recent change in form.