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Game plans · Friday, December 18

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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Hornets at Clippers

How the Hornets 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. AttackAttack the above-the-break 337.3% of Hornets shots come from above the break (2nd most), and the Clippers allow 35.6% there (22nd of 30).

How the Clippers beat the Hornets

  1. 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 Clippers defense there ranks 22nd (35.6% allowed).
  2. Key scorerKey scorer: Brandon MillerMiller (20.2 points per game): best from the corners (42% on 71 shots, league 39%), worst from midrange (37%, league 42%).
FG% by zone. Offense rank: 1st = best shooting. Defense rank: 1st = lowest FG% allowed, 30th = most.
ZoneCHA offenseLAC defenseLAC offenseCHA defense
At the rim64.8% (23rd)67.2% (20th)69.4% (3rd)65.1% (9th)
Paint42.8% (22nd)43.5% (10th)45.3% (12th)43.8% (11th)
Midrange35.8% (29th)39.4% (3rd)41.4% (17th)39.7% (6th)
Corner 342.8% (3rd)38.8% (15th)41.6% (5th)38.8% (16th)
Above-the-break 336.3% (5th)35.6% (22nd)35.1% (14th)35.1% (17th)

Matchups on Fri, Dec 18

12 games
  • Thunder at Hornets7:00 PM ET

    How the Thunder beat the Hornets

    1. 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 Thunder defense there ranks 23rd (35.6% allowed).
    2. TurnoversPressure the ballThe Thunder force turnovers on 14.0% of plays (2nd), and the Hornets give it away on 12.8% (24th of 30).

    How the Hornets 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 Hornets give it away on 12.8% (24th of 30).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Clippers at Heat7:00 PM ET

    How the Clippers beat the Heat

    1. 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%).
    2. TempoSlow it downThe Clippers play at 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes (28th in pace), the Heat at 102.8 (1st). Make it a half-court game.

    How the Heat beat the Clippers

    1. TempoPush the paceThe Heat play at 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes (1st in pace), the Clippers at 95.6 (28th). Run and make them keep up.
    2. 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%).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Knicks at Wizards7:00 PM ET

    How the Knicks beat the Wizards

    1. AttackAttack the corner 313.6% of Knicks shots come from the corners (2nd most), and the Wizards allow 40.9% there (28th of 30).
    2. GlassCrash the offensive glassThe Knicks grab 29.3% of their misses (5th), and the Wizards rank 30th on the defensive glass (70.2%).

    How the Wizards 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. GlassFinish possessions: box outThe Knicks grab 29.3% of their misses (5th) and the Wizards rank 30th on the defensive glass (70.2%).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Jazz at Celtics7:30 PM ET

    How the Jazz beat the Celtics

    1. TempoPush the paceThe Jazz play at 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes (3rd in pace), the Celtics at 94.2 (30th). Run and make them keep up.
    2. Take awayTake away the above-the-break 338.5% of Celtics shots come from above the break (1st most) and they make 35.6% (10th). The Jazz defense there ranks 27th (36.4% allowed).

    How the Celtics beat the Jazz

    1. TempoSlow it downThe Celtics play at 94.2 possessions per 48 minutes (30th in pace), the Jazz at 101.6 (3rd). Make it a half-court game.
    2. AttackAttack the rimThe Celtics shoot 70.5% at the rim (2nd), and the Jazz allow 72.0% there (30th of 30).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Magic at Nets7:30 PM ET

    How the Magic beat the Nets

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Michael Porter Jr.Porter (24.2 points per game): best at the rim (75% on 227 shots, league 66%), worst from the corners (32%, league 39%).
    2. TempoPush the paceThe Magic play at 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes (12th in pace), the Nets at 96.2 (25th). Run and make them keep up.

    How the Nets beat the Magic

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Paolo BancheroBanchero (22.2 points per game): best from the corners (44% on 52 shots, league 39%), worst in the paint (35%, league 44%).
    2. TempoSlow it downThe Nets play at 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes (25th in pace), the Magic at 99.3 (12th). Make it a half-court game.

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Cavaliers at Pistons7:30 PM ET

    How the Cavaliers beat the Pistons

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Cade CunninghamCunningham (23.9 points per game): best from midrange (49% on 174 shots, league 42%), worst at the rim (61%, league 66%).

    How the Pistons 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.

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Warriors at Raptors7:30 PM ET

    How the Warriors beat the Raptors

    1. TurnoversTake care of the ballThe Raptors force turnovers on 13.5% of plays (4th) and the Warriors give it away on 13.3% (27th of 30).
    2. Key scorerKey scorer: Kawhi LeonardLeonard (27.9 points per game): best in the paint (55% on 339 shots, league 44%), worst from above the break (38%, league 35%).

    How the Raptors beat the Warriors

    1. TurnoversPressure the ballThe Raptors force turnovers on 13.5% of plays (4th), 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%).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Rockets at Grizzlies8:00 PM ET

    How the Rockets beat the Grizzlies

    1. GlassCrash the offensive glassThe Rockets grab 34.8% of their misses (1st), and the Grizzlies rank 29th on the defensive glass (70.9%).
    2. TempoSlow it downThe Rockets play at 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes (29th in pace), the Grizzlies at 100.8 (5th). Make it a half-court game.

    How the Grizzlies beat the Rockets

    1. 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%).
    2. GlassFinish possessions: box outThe Rockets grab 34.8% of their misses (1st) and the Grizzlies rank 29th on the defensive glass (70.9%).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Suns at Bucks8:00 PM ET

    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).

    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).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Lakers at Timberwolves8:00 PM ET

    How the Lakers beat the Timberwolves

    1. Key scorerKey scorer: Anthony EdwardsEdwards (28.8 points per game): best from the corners (46% on 54 shots, league 39%), worst from midrange (44%, league 42%).
    2. TempoSlow it downThe Lakers play at 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes (21st in pace), the Timberwolves at 99.8 (9th). Make it a half-court game.

    How the Timberwolves 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. Take awayTake away the paint21.5% of Lakers shots come in the paint (7th most) and they make 48.8% (1st). The Timberwolves defense there ranks 8th (42.9% allowed).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Kings at Pelicans8:00 PM ET

    How the Kings beat the Pelicans

    1. AttackAttack the paint26.4% of Kings shots come in the paint (1st most), and the Pelicans allow 47.9% there (28th of 30).
    2. 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.

    How the Pelicans beat the Kings

    1. AttackAttack the rim40.4% of Pelicans shots come at the rim (1st most), and the Kings allow 69.8% there (28th of 30).
    2. Take awayTake away the paint26.4% of Kings shots come in the paint (1st most) and they make 45.7% (9th). The Pelicans defense there ranks 28th (47.9% allowed).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    Full preview →Full plan
  • Bulls at Spurs8:00 PM ET

    How the Bulls 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. TempoPush the paceThe Bulls play at 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes (2nd in pace), the Spurs at 99.1 (13th). Run and make them keep up.

    How the Spurs beat the Bulls

    1. AttackAttack midrangeThe Spurs shoot 43.6% from midrange (7th), and the Bulls allow 43.1% there (25th of 30).
    2. 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%).

    Based on 2025-26, with the current roster

    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.