About This Play/Drill

Even when the Rockets weren't punishing the Mavericks in round one with the Josh Smith-Dwight Howard pick and roll combination, they still found ways to take advantage of the defense and connect for lobs. This is a simple 1-4 high pick, with a throwback to Smith. He immediately goes into Side P/R action with James Harden, or DHO in this case. This is hard work for x4, Dirk, who shows hard on the DHO. Note the 1 and 3 switching spots on the weakside, which makes x1, JJ Barea, the low defender. 

As Harden hits Smith on the roll, x5 must pull over to stop the drive. JJ Barea is sitting on Howard's top leg like he is supposed to be, but that hardly matters. This is an easy Smith to Howard lob.