Ray Allen's Corner Three
June 2013. Bosh's rebound and Allen's shot save Miami's season
On 18 June 2013, the San Antonio Spurs led the Miami Heat 3 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. In Game 6 they were up by five points with about 28 seconds left, and the yellow rope for the trophy presentation had already come out around the court. LeBron James hit a three to cut the lead.
Miami trailed 95 to 92 when James tried another three and missed. For that possession, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had taken Tim Duncan off the floor so his team could switch every screen. Chris Bosh outjumped two Spurs for the offensive rebound and passed out to Ray Allen, who backpedaled into the right corner and made a three over Tony Parker with 5.2 seconds left to tie the game.
Miami won 103 to 100 in overtime, then won Game 7 95 to 88 for their second straight title. Allen later explained that he practiced moving sideways into his shot 30 to 40 times before every game.
What changed
It was not a set play. It came from an offensive rebound and a shooter who knew where to go. Taking out a rebounder to switch screens cost the Spurs the ball, and Allen's drift to the open corner showed how much a shooter's movement off the ball matters.
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