The phrase refers to the strategic concept of utilizing three players to create scoring opportunities that ideally result in two points in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game. A simple example would involve a pick-and-roll executed flawlessly, resulting in an open layup or dunk for one of the three players involved (the ball-handler, the screener, and a third player drawing defensive attention).
Effective employment of this strategy provides several advantages, including increased offensive efficiency, improved spacing on the court, and the potential to generate high-percentage scoring chances. Historically, teams that have mastered this type of coordinated offensive play have often demonstrated greater success, particularly in playoff scenarios where defensive intensity is elevated and individual shot-making becomes more challenging.