pick-and-roll

noun

: a basketball play in which a player sets a screen and then cuts toward the basket for a pass

Examples of pick-and-roll in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Paul and Trayce Jackson-Davis continued to show chemistry in the pick-and-roll, with the point guard connecting with the rookie on a pair of alley-oops. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The Lakers deployed their big men – Davis and Jaxson Hayes – in drop coverage and mostly had their perimeter defenders go under pick-and-rolls initiated by Fox and Monk. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2024 He’s developed a potent chemistry in the pick-and-roll with big-man Jakob Poeltl and Poeltl’s ability to screen and seal for Quickley has opened up his scoring game as well. Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Clifford mentioned how the opposition is blitzing the Hornets’ pick-and-rolls featuring Miller, sending a second defender to disrupt the play. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 The Dubs didn’t return from the break and resort to simple high pick-and-roll offense with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 The idea was simple: pair Lillard, one of the greatest shooters of all time, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and unstoppable force in the paint, and unleash a pick-and-roll nightmare for opposing defenses. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 According to data from Synergy Sports, the Tar Heels have improved in six of 11 defensive areas from last season, including against post-ups, hand-off plays and defending screeners in pick-and-rolls. Aaron Beard, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2024 Denver drew up an after-timeout play in which Gordon slipped behind the defense along the baseline while Jokic and Jamal Murray ran a pick-and-roll. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pick-and-roll.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pick-and-roll was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near pick-and-roll

Cite this Entry

“Pick-and-roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick-and-roll. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!