Master the Pick and Roll in NBA 2K25

Running the pick and roll effectively requires more than just the basics. There are advanced strategies you can use to take your game to the next level. In this guide, I’ll cover methods to help you dominate the pick and roll in NBA 2K25.

Pass Leading: Direct Traffic With Ease

Pass leading is a game-changer in NBA 2K25, allowing you to guide teammates into open spaces for better scoring opportunities. Here’s how to use pass leading effectively:

1. Press R1 or RB to bring up your player icons.
2. Use the left stick to aim where you want the player to go.
3. Press the icon of your target to lock in the pass.

Pass leading lets you push players toward the hoop, away from traffic, or into open mid-range or three-point positions. So if you run a pick and roll you can combine pass leading to create something extremely dangerous as pass leading can help your roll man stop in the mid-range by aiming behind him or, depending on the dive angle, pull him out to the three-point line. If your roll man is a shooting threat, pass leading can instantly get them open for a jumper or a drive.

Pick and Fade Opportunities

When running a pick and fade, watch for defenders closing out on your big man at the perimeter. This creates an opportunity to exploit their movement:

• Hold Y or Triangle to send your big man cutting to the basket.
• Use this technique as the defender commits to the closeout, catching them out of position.

Timing is everything here. Execute the cut just as the defender makes contact with your player.

Patience in the Paint

When attacking the rim with your roll man, the hedge defender often expects you to pass immediately. If you stay patient, they might overcommit, leaving you an open shot at the rim. So you just have to wait an extra second before making your move. By breaking the common pattern of passing to your roll man here, you can exploit defensive tendencies for easy points.

Switch Sides on the Pick and Roll

A clever trick to keep human defenders honest is switching the side of the screen at the last moment or force the screen to start from the opposite side of the defender. This works especially well against opponents using team communication. This tactic confuses defenders and forces them to second-guess their movements and whether they should play the screen aggressively, often creating mismatches or hesitation.

Pick and Roll to the Empty Side

To create a quick scoring opportunity, set up a pick and roll towards the sideline as you advance up the court:

1. Select the player ahead of you near the sideline.
2. Call for a screen by holding L1 or LB and flick the left stick to direct them toward the sideline.

If timed correctly, this creates a clear driving lane before your opponent can adjust.

Quick Pick and Rolls

Calling for an immediate pick and roll after passing the ball with your Power Forward or Center keeps your opponents on their toes. This works best when you’ve just passed with a big man, because you can just hold L1/LB to have the closest of the 2 set a screen for you. This quick execution makes it hard for opponents to anticipate, catching them off guard and giving you a step on the defense.

Guard-to-Guard Screens

Guard-to-guard screens are underutilized but incredibly effective. Faster players and shooters make these screens difficult to defend:

• Use these screens to create mismatches and free up quick players.
• Pair it with a pick-and-fade or use the speed advantage to drive to the rim.

Most opponents aren’t prepared for screens involving smaller players, so you can exploit their inexperience for big plays.

With these strategies, you’ll have new ways to outsmart defenders and dominate the pick and roll in NBA 2K25. If you enjoy this type of content, make sure to subscribe to Sports Gamers Online for more tips, and hit that bell icon so you never miss an update.