🏀 BasketballGrade 7Reading: grades 7-9MultiplicationIntegersPercentagesOrder of operationsTwo-step equations

The Playbook Heist

The championship game is tonight, but disaster has struck! Coach Carter arrived at the Metro Stars training center to find the team's secret playbook stolen from the tactical vault. A shadowy figure was seen leaving the court wearing customized sneakers. We must analyze the signature moves and court habits of the top players to find the Rogue Player who sabotaged the team.

Suspects

Possible suspects

Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.

21 of 21 still in play

Name	Signature Move	Shoe Sponsor	Shooting Hand	Hairstyle	On-Court Distraction
Curry	Crossover Drive	Vapor Strike Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	High-Top Fade	Slick Floor Sweeper
Dame	Crossover Drive	Vapor Strike Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Jeering Crowds
Durant	No-Look Pass	Apex Bounce Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	High-Top Fade	Double-Team Traps
Kyrie	Step-Back Three	Vapor Strike Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	High-Top Fade	Slick Floor Sweeper
Jokic	Posterizing Dunk	Aero Shock Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Ja	No-Look Pass	Quantum Shift Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Jeering Crowds
Fox	Step-Back Three	Aero Shock Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Jeering Crowds
George	No-Look Pass	Aero Shock Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Jeering Crowds
Tatum	Crossover Drive	Apex Bounce Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	High-Top Fade	Double-Team Traps
Westbrook	No-Look Pass	Vapor Strike Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Luka	Step-Back Three	Hyper Glide Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Giannis	Posterizing Dunk	Vapor Strike Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Spida	Step-Back Three	Aero Shock Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Davis	Posterizing Dunk	Quantum Shift Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Jeering Crowds
Adebayo	Crossover Drive	Hyper Glide Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Double-Team Traps
Embiid	No-Look Pass	Apex Bounce Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Slick Floor Sweeper
Booker	No-Look Pass	Quantum Shift Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Klay	Skyhook Shot	Quantum Shift Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Buzz Cut	Slick Floor Sweeper
Harden	No-Look Pass	Quantum Shift Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	High-Top Fade	Jeering Crowds
Butler	Crossover Drive	Apex Bounce Sneaker	Left-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Jeering Crowds
Zion	No-Look Pass	Aero Shock Sneaker	Right-Handed Shooter	Dyed Dreadlocks	Jeering Crowds

Clue 1

Multiplication facts (1-12)

The arena manager calculated the total ticket revenue by multiplying the premium floor seats by their cost per ticket. This multiplication formula unlocks the locker room lockbox containing our first clue.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

144

110

144

100

110

1 × 2 =T

12 × 5 =D

3 × 11 =U

2 × 6 =A

9 × 7 =G

8 × 8 =Y

9 × 11 =C

5 × 10 =W

9 × 9 =S

8 × 7 =R

3 × 12 =L

8 × 10 =K

10 × 10 =I

12 × 12 =P

1 × 11 =E

12 × 7 =O

11 × 10 =N

11 × 2 =H

0/18 letters found

Clue 2

Integers

We tracked the target's plus-minus rating on the court, recording positive numbers for made baskets and negative numbers for turnovers. Combining these integers gives us the secure gate code.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

(-1) + 21 =T

20 - (-1) =R

(-4) + 17 =D

15 - (-15) =L

(-9) + 32 =U

(-4) + 8 =A

(-15) + 34 =W

(-8) + 14 =H

(-7) + 14 =N

(-11) + 35 =O

2 - (-12) =I

13 - (-14) =E

(-14) + 23 =S

23 - (-5) =P

(-14) + 19 =F

(-2) + 17 =C

0/16 letters found

Clue 3

Percentages

The shooting coach analyzed the team's free throw percentages to see who has the most reliable shot under pressure. Finding the highest accuracy rate reveals the clue hidden in the ball rack.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

40% of 150 =T

10% of 540 =U

40% of 85 =P

60% of 40 =E

20% of 220 =S

10% of 370 =O

20% of 180 =W

10% of 140 =R

20% of 15 =N

10% of 550 =C

20% of 255 =D

50% of 2 =L

10% of 310 =H

10% of 380 =I

0/14 letters found

Clue 4

Order of operations

To decode the encrypted tactical board, we must solve a multi-step scoring equation, making sure to multiply the three-pointers before adding the free throws. This order of operations gives us the next detail.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

102

106

101

113

102

109

114

102

101

113

109

101

102

67 + 7 × 5 =T

6 × 10 - 2 =Z

4 × 11 - 8 =B

2 + 2 × 2 =C

93 + 8 × 2 =D

50 + 8 × 7 =S

9 × 12 - 7 =U

10 × 4 - 23 =I

9 + 2 × 2 =F

6 + 8 × 2 =A

12 × 4 - 29 =E

12 × 6 - 11 =H

4 × 12 - 21 =Y

90 + 3 × 8 =P

89 + 8 × 3 =R

0/15 letters found

Clue 5

Two-step equations — the last clue

The referee keeps track of total team fouls using a variable rate based on quarters played. Solving this two-step equation reveals the final locker number where the culprit's identity is sealed.

First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!

Step 1 — solve these

2x + 3 = 23, x = ?

5x + 5 = 35, x = ?

3x + 1 = 37, x = ?

4x + 6 = 34, x = ?

5x + 12 = 17, x = ?

4x + 4 = 24, x = ?

4x + 10 = 18, x = ?

5x + 12 = 67, x = ?

5x + 4 = 49, x = ?

4x + 4 = 16, x = ?

2x + 11 = 27, x = ?

Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer

1.The villain sinks an unstoppable skyhook shot, then steals the tactical playbook from the bench.

2.The villain unleashes a rim-rattling posterizing dunk, then steals the tactical playbook from the bench.

3.The villain flashes a deceptive no-look pass, then snatches the championship trophy from the display.

4.The villain unleashes a rim-rattling posterizing dunk, then swipes the golden whistle from the referee locker.

5.The villain sinks an unstoppable skyhook shot, then snatches the championship trophy from the display.

6.The villain sinks an unstoppable skyhook shot, then gathers all the signed game balls.

7.The villain executes an ankle-breaking crossover drive, then swipes the golden whistle from the referee locker.

8.The villain executes an ankle-breaking crossover drive, then steals the tactical playbook from the bench.

9.The villain flashes a deceptive no-look pass, then plucks the championship ring from the vault.

10.The villain flashes a deceptive no-look pass, then swipes the golden whistle from the referee locker.

11.The villain performs a gravity-defying step-back three, then snatches the championship trophy from the display.

12.The villain flashes a deceptive no-look pass, then gathers all the signed game balls.

Solve it

Name the culprit

Choose the one suspect left standing.

Answer Key — The Playbook Heist

Culprit: Giannis (Posterizing Dunk · Vapor Strike Sneaker · Left-Handed Shooter · Buzz Cut · Slick Floor Sweeper)

Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT WEAR HYPER GLIDE SNEAKERS"
1 × 2 = 2 (T) · 12 × 5 = 60 (D) · 3 × 11 = 33 (U) · 2 × 6 = 12 (A) · 9 × 7 = 63 (G) · 8 × 8 = 64 (Y) · 9 × 11 = 99 (C) · 5 × 10 = 50 (W) · 9 × 9 = 81 (S) · 8 × 7 = 56 (R) · 3 × 12 = 36 (L) · 8 × 10 = 80 (K) · 10 × 10 = 100 (I) · 12 × 12 = 144 (P) · 1 × 11 = 11 (E) · 12 × 7 = 84 (O) · 11 × 10 = 110 (N) · 11 × 2 = 22 (H)
Clue 2 (Integers): "THE SUSPECT SHOT WITH THEIR LEFT HAND"
(-1) + 21 = 20 (T) · 20 - (-1) = 21 (R) · (-4) + 17 = 13 (D) · 15 - (-15) = 30 (L) · (-9) + 32 = 23 (U) · (-4) + 8 = 4 (A) · (-15) + 34 = 19 (W) · (-8) + 14 = 6 (H) · (-7) + 14 = 7 (N) · (-11) + 35 = 24 (O) · 2 - (-12) = 14 (I) · 13 - (-14) = 27 (E) · (-14) + 23 = 9 (S) · 23 - (-5) = 28 (P) · (-14) + 19 = 5 (F) · (-2) + 17 = 15 (C)
Clue 3 (Percentages): "THE INTRUDER SLIPPED ON THE WET COURT"
40% of 150 = 60 (T) · 10% of 540 = 54 (U) · 40% of 85 = 34 (P) · 60% of 40 = 24 (E) · 20% of 220 = 44 (S) · 10% of 370 = 37 (O) · 20% of 180 = 36 (W) · 10% of 140 = 14 (R) · 20% of 15 = 3 (N) · 10% of 550 = 55 (C) · 20% of 255 = 51 (D) · 50% of 2 = 1 (L) · 10% of 310 = 31 (H) · 10% of 380 = 38 (I)
Clue 4 (Order of operations): "THE SECURITY FEED CAPTURED A BUZZ CUT"
67 + 7 × 5 = 102 (T) · 6 × 10 - 2 = 58 (Z) · 4 × 11 - 8 = 36 (B) · 2 + 2 × 2 = 6 (C) · 93 + 8 × 2 = 109 (D) · 50 + 8 × 7 = 106 (S) · 9 × 12 - 7 = 101 (U) · 10 × 4 - 23 = 17 (I) · 9 + 2 × 2 = 13 (F) · 6 + 8 × 2 = 22 (A) · 12 × 4 - 29 = 19 (E) · 12 × 6 - 11 = 61 (H) · 4 × 12 - 21 = 27 (Y) · 90 + 3 × 8 = 114 (P) · 89 + 8 × 3 = 113 (R)
Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 4) → Giannis
2x + 3 = 23, x = 10 · 5x + 5 = 35, x = 6 · 3x + 1 = 37, x = 12 · 4x + 6 = 34, x = 7 · 5x + 12 = 17, x = 1 · 4x + 4 = 24, x = 5 · 4x + 10 = 18, x = 2 · 5x + 12 = 67, x = 11 · 5x + 4 = 49, x = 9 · 4x + 4 = 16, x = 3 · 2x + 11 = 27, x = 8

About this mystery

Grade level: Grade 7 math
Math topics: Multiplication, Integers, Percentages, Order of operations, Two-step equations
Reading level: grades 7-9
Theme: The Playbook Heist — set in The high-tech practice facility of the Metro Stars franchise during the playoff finals
Format: Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
Solution: One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects

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