Writer/director Ron Shelton is that rare beast: someone who can make movies with wit, warmth and perception about American sports. This is a marvellous tale about two basketball players (Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson) who make their living hustling fellow street players around Los Angeles. The plot is fairly simplistic, but the pleasure comes from Shelton's fizzing foul-mouthed dialogue, the charismatic performances of the two stars and the superbly choreographed basketball sequences. And, as an added bonus, even Rosie Perez, as Harrelson's girlfriend, manages to stay the right side of irritating.

Two street basketball hustlers try to con each other, then team up for a bigger score.