Deceptive position for the ball to be in? (3)

I believe the answer is:

lie

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'be in?' is the definition.
'lie' can be an answer for 'be' (lying is a kind of being). I am unsure of the 'in?' bit.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lie that I've seen before include "Stretch out" , "Mistruth" , "habitat for animal or bird" , "Prevaricate or recline" , "Perversion of the truth" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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