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The NBA’s 'shot desert' problem is real. Could 3-point dunks save us?

Ja Morant is back and has Brook Lopez turned around. It’s November, and the electric point guard is leading the fast break in the third quarter against a porous Milwaukee Bucks transition defense. The slow-footed Lopez is the only obstacle between Morant and a thunderous finish at the basket. With Morant going downhill, this is a viral moment waiting to happen.

But instead of jetting through Lopez for a rim-rocking dunk, Morant does something unexpected. He slams on the brakes and pulls up for a 3-pointer, missing badly off the far side of the rim.

Morant didn’t dunk on that possession.