Learn and practice the basics
As soon as you are starting off in the game, you will be able to learn how to use all of the game's controls and how to master them properly. Since there are a total of five controls, you won't have much to worry about, but still you need to learn how to use them and when to use them.
It's important to perform the right action at the right time, so that's why you should train quite a bit before anything else. You can train to master these five basic moves even after the tutorial, by heading on to the Game tab (bottom side of the screen) - Training Course.
There you will have the moves:
Shoot: The shooting will focus on how you can shoot - it's basically the player that you control performing a jump shot. You will have to tap and hold on the button, and when your indicator reaches the yellow part of the bar, you should release for a more accurate shot!
Drive: Driving can be performed when a player is heading towards the basket. If you hold this button then, the players can perform various special moves, such as a layup or a dunk when they have the opportunity.
Pass: Passing is a pretty important step during the matches, and that's exactly why controlling it is super important. You can use passing between players to reach the best scorer in your team or to take advantage of the enemy's weaker defense and perform a Drive.
Shot Defense: Shot Defense is one of the two defensive moves which your players can perform while defending. This move is best performed by tapping the button right before the opponent will try to score. At that point, your player will try to jump and block the shot.
Lockdown Defense: Much like the Shot Defense, the Lockdown Defense is a defensive move which will let your player try and avoid the enemy's Drive - look at it like a counter-move to the Drive (useful in PvP matches).