Sunday Beat is a weekly post featuring the most remarkable performances of the week, z-points-wise.

L.A. LAKERS @ BOSTON 90-89

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
19 pts, 0.41 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
37 z-pts (1.06), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.31 z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Another game-winner by Mr. Clutch. In the Lakers last possession, Bryant faced Ray Allen one-on-one and beat him with a fall-away jumper.

ORLANDO @ DETROIT 91-86

J.J. Redick (ORL)
17 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.68), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.37 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Redick made three clutch free throws to give Orlando a four-point lead with 1:15 remaining.

Rashard Lewis (ORL)
15 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 100% FT%
23 z-pts (0.66), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.46 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

With 9 seconds left in the game, Lewis cold-bloodedly sank a couple of free throws to take a three-point lead and help the Magic beat the Pistons.

PHOENIX @ HOUSTON 115-111

Aaron Brooks (HOU)
24 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 0.36 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
32 z-pts (1.05), 0.34 z2PT%, 0.38 z3PT%, 0.72 zFT%

Brooks scored 15 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter and overtime (9 and 6, respectively) but couldn’t stop the Suns from winning this game.

PHOENIX @ NEW ORLEANS 109-100

Grant Hill (PHO)
13 pts, 0.86 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.40), 0.91 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

With 1:19 left and the Suns leading by two, Hill went on to score 5 consecutive points to put the game away for good.

L.A. LAKERS @ MEMPHIS 93-95

Zach Randolph (MEM)
22 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.80 FT%
30 z-pts (0.87), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Randolph scored the go-ahead basket with 1:07 left, then hit a couple of free thows for a four-point lead with 52 seconds remaining. Crucial win for the Grizzlies’ confidence heading into the second half of the regular season.

SACRAMENTO @ DENVER 109-112

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
23 pts, 0.20 2PT%, 0.30 3PT%, 0.89 FT%
27 z-pts (0.86), 0.33 z2PT%, 0.13 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Billups scored 6 points in the last seven minutes of regulation (half of the Nuggets points in that stretch) but missed a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it for Denver (note how his z3PT% is lower than his 3PT%). In OT he only scored 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting. An off shooting night for Mr. Big Shot, depite the W.

Arron Afflalo (DEN)
12 pts, 0.80 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
23 z-pts (0.75), 0.89 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.81 zFT%

Afflalo, on the other hand, was the key in OT. He scored 6 points in the extra period – on perfect shooting-, including the go-ahead bucket with 18 seconds remaining.

Spencer Hawes (SAC)
23 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.96), 0.44 z2PT%, 0.71 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Spencer Hawes scored 6 points in the 4th, including the game-tying basket with 27 seconds remaining, but he missed a shot to win the game at the end of regulation (see how his z2PT% shows that). In OT, Hawes hit a three to make it 109-107 Kings with 1:36 remaining (see how his z3PT% shows that).

DETROIT @ NEW JERSEY 97-93

Richard Hamilton (DET)
22 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
36 z-pts (1.07), 0.64 z2PT%, 0.53 z3PT%, 0.84 zFT%

Rip scored half of his points in the last six minutes of the game. Overall, he went 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line in the 4th quarter. His free throws with 21 seconds left gave the Pistons a four-point lead.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ ATLANTA 97-103

Al Horford (ATL)
16 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.86 FT%
22 z-pts (0.58), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.84 zFT%

With 2:38 remaining and the Hawks up by two, Horford scored five consecutive points to help his team pull away from the Clippers late in the 4th.

CHICAGO @ PHILADELPHIA 103-106

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
25 pts, 0.77 2PT%, 0.17 3PT%, 0.29 FT%
38 z-pts (1.27), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.44 z3PT%, 0.39 zFT%

Iguodala’s free throw with 6 seconds left in regulation tied the game, but he missed the second free throw that could have won it for the Sixers. In overtime, Andre hit a huge trey with 1:19 remaining to give his team a three-point lead, and scored again later to make it 100-105 Philadelphia with 27 seconds left.

CHARLOTTE @ L.A. LAKERS 97-99

Nazr Mohammed (CHA)
23 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.71 FT%
28 z-pts (0.77), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.67 zFT%

Mohammed scored 6 of the last 8 Bobcat points of the game in the last two minutes, keeping Charlotte’s hopes of beating the Lakers alive until the very end.

SAN ANTONIO @ PORTLAND 93-96

Martell Webster (POR)
21 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (0.86), 0.10 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

10 of Webster’s 21 points came down the stretch, as he made a couple of clutch treys (one to make it 91-87 Blazers with 22 seconds left) on 2-of-2 shooting, and four clutch free throws in the last 10 seconds of the game.

WASHINGTON @ ORLANDO 92-91

Caron Butler (WAS)
31 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.89 FT%
55 z-pts (1.79), 0.75 z2PT%, 0.20 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Butler capped his 14-point 4th quarter performance with a few decisive plays down the stretch. Caron scored 6 of the Wizards last 7 points in the game, including the winning shot.

Rashard Lewis (ORL)
12 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%
33 z-pts (1.09), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.85 z3PT%

Lewis almost won the game for Orlando with a three-pointer that gave his team a one-point lead with 4 seconds remaining. Rashard scored all the Magic’s points in the last 3:18 (7 points).

MINNESOTA @ DALLAS 117-108

Corey Brewer (MIN)
14 pts, 0.14 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.65), 0.17 z2PT%, 0.84 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Brewer was key down the stretch for the Wolves, scoring six points (a 3 plus three clutch free throws) in one minute.

NEW JERSEY @ DETROIT 92-99

c (DET)
13 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.48), 0.73 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Maxiell scored 9 points in the 4th quarter on 4-of-6 and was a key factor in the Pistons late run. “Max really had it going at the end, and that’s why we rode him instead of going back to Jonas (Jerebko)”, Detroit coach John Kuester said. Jerebko scored 20 points on 9-for-9 shooting in the first three quarters.

MEMPHIS @ MINNESOTA 102-109

Al Jefferson (MIN)
23 pts, 0.65 2PT%, 0.25 FT%
34 z-pts (0.91), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.26 zFT%

Excellent game by Jefferson, who scored 16 of his 23 points in the 4th quarter (on perfect shooting) to rally the Timberwolves past the Grizzlies.

PHILADELPHIA @ HOUSTON 102-95

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
14 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.59), 0.26 z2PT%, 0.64 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Iguodala scored 10 of his 14 points in the 4th quarter without a miss. His three-pointer with 1:37 remaining made it 97-91 Philly and the Sixers never looked back from there.

NBA Photos

Sunday Beat is a weekly post featuring the most remarkable performances of the week, z-points-wise.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ ATLANTA 94-91

Jeff Green (OKL)
15 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
20 z-pts (0.49), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Oklahoma beat one of the best teams in the league thanks to Jeff Green’s And-1 with 12 seconds left and the Thunder up by two. On top of that, he did it in style.

MILWAUKEE @ HOUSTON 98-101

Carl Landry (HOU)
12 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.59), 0.48 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Landry outscored Milwaukee 5-0 in the first minute of overtime, and the Rockets never looked back. He’s the kind of player any team would love to have, able to score and go to the line (and hit’em) down the stretch.

PHILADELPHIA @ MINNESOTA 103-108

Al Jefferson (MIN)
23 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (0.88), 0.53 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Jefferson scored 11 points in the 4th quarter as the Timberwolves tried to come back and beat the Sixers after trailing by 17 at the half.

Damien Wilkins (MIN)
13 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
19 z-pts (0.52), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Wilkins scored 8 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. Since this was a game that only started to be competitive in the 3rd quarter, he gets more z-points than some of his teammates as he scored mostly when it mattered.

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
17 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
26 z-pts (0.73), 0.21 z2PT%, 0.85 z3PT%, 0.62 zFT%

Iguodala scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, but he missed a clutch free throw down the stretch and a potentially game-winning shot at the end of regulation. Note how both his z2PT% and zFT% are lower as a result (Jonny Flynn also missed a clutch two-pointer at the end of the 4th and gets a lower z2PT%).

PORTLAND @ PHILADELPHIA 98-90

Jerryd Bayless (POR)
18 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.69), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Blayless went 5-of-8 in the 4th quarter for 14 points that were key to the Blazer’s win against Philly.

MEMPHIS @ NEW ORLEANS 111-113

James Posey (NOR)
6 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
23 z-pts (0.72), 0.94 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Just by looking at the box score we know it must have been Posey who won this game for the Hornets. First thing that jumps to the eye is the difference between points and adjusted z-points (6 vs. 23) – we don’t see such a huge disparity in any of his teammates. Next thing we see is that his z2PT% is much higher than his 2PT%. As a matter of fact, Posey hit the game-winner as he drove to the basket in the waning moments of regulation. Watch the recap here.

Chris Paul (NOR)
21 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
36 z-pts (1.12), 0.75 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Paul had another tremendous game in the clutch, scoring 10 points on perfect shooting in the last 4:20 and handing out key assists to his teammates when it mattered (the one that gives him big z-assists is his pass to David West to take the lead with 1:21 remaining). Note how his z-shooting % is higher than his normal shooting %, reflecting efficiency in the clutch.

Rudy Gay (MEM)
26 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
35 z-pts (1.11), 0.74 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.90 zFT%

First Rudy Gay’s appearance in our Sunday Beat, as he takes charge in the clutch department against the Hornets. Gay scored 7 points in the last 1:32 without a miss, including a trey to tie the game with 6 seconds left. The way Memphis is playing, I’m sure we’ll see him here again pretty soon.

DENVER @ GOLDEN STATE 123-118

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
37 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
48 z-pts (1.73), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.67 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Mr. Big Shot honored his name by scoring 10 points in the 4th plus another 10 in OT on a combined 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Super clutch. And super efficient, too.

J.R. Smith (DEN)
14 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.84), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.58 z3PT%

J.R. Smith gets his z-points thanks to a huge 3 with 29 seconds remaining in OT that gave Denver a two-point lead.

Monta Ellis (GSW)
39 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
48 z-pts (1.72), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.65 zFT%

Ellis hit a big 3 to tie the game with 28 seconds remaining in regulation. Then Anthony missed Denver’s last shot, sending the game to overtime (see how low Melo’s z2PT% is because of this). In OT, Ellis hit another big 3 with 45 seconds left to give Golden State the lead. We can easily notice that he was clutch from beyond the arc just by looking at his z3PT%. But he also missed one clutch free throw that would have tied the game with 25 seconds left in OT (he made 1 of 2), and we can also notice this as his zFT% is lower than his real FT%.

L.A. LAKERS @ CLEVELAND 87-93

LeBron James (CLE)
37 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.11 3PT%, 0.77 FT%
47 z-pts (1.36), 0.83 z2PT%, 0.18 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

LeBron James was hitting jumper after jumper in crunch time against the Lakers, some of them with Kobe (surprisingly) on the bench. The King went 5-of-7 to score 12 points in the last 6:22, including a key jumper with 40 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a two-point lead.

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
31 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.87), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.87 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Kobe was no match for LeBron this time, although we have to acknowledge that he’s been playing through a finger injury that is probably affecting his shooting touch. Somehow he still managed to put up some points in crunch time, as he scored four consecutive points to tie the game at 87 with 1:31 left. But then he missed a key layup that would have tied the game again with 26 seconds remaining. It seems that the Cavs got the Lakers’ number this season, maybe this is finally the King’s year?

Pau Gasol (LAL)
13 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
9 z-pts (0.25), 0.19 z2PT%, 0.19 zFT%

Pau was bad, bad, bad down the stretch. Last minute of the game, game tied at 87, Pau gets the ball in the low post… and gets his shot blocked twice. Then LeBron takes the ball to the other end of the court and hits a jumper to put his team two points up. Gasol had an opportunity to redeem himself in the next possession, as he got fouled and went to the line, but ended up missing both free throws. See how both his z2PT% and zFT% reflect this.

PORTLAND @ BOSTON 95-98

Ray Allen (BOS)
9 pts, 0.22 2PT%, 0.20 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
17 z-pts (0.51), 0.12 z2PT%, 0.44 z3PT%, 0.40 zFT%

Ray Allen’s three with 41 seconds left gave the Celts a one-point lead at the end of overtime. See how his z3PT% shows the clutchness of this shot. However, this was an awful shooting night for Allen, as he went 3-of-14 overall.

Tony Allen (BOS)
8 pts, 0.80 2PT%
15 z-pts (0.46), 0.89 z2PT%

Tony Allen’s dunk with 12 seconds left in OT sealed the win for the Celtics. Ray Allen gets credit for the assist (4 assists vs. 6.53 z-assists).

Martell Webster (POR)
19 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.29 3PT%, 0.78 FT%
27 z-pts (0.82), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.38 z3PT%, 0.76 zFT%

With the Blazers trailing by five in the last two minutes of regulation, Webster took matters into his own hands and scored five consecutive points (a two-point shot and a trey) to send the game to overtime.

NEW ORLEANS @ MINNESOTA 96-94

James Posey (NOR)
6 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
22 z-pts (0.72), 100% z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Second game-winner for Posey this week! Just as he beat the Grizzlies two days before, this time he stunned the Timberwolves with a layup at the buzzer.

Peja Stojakovic (NOR)
6 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.68), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Stojakovic was clutch from the free throw line, sinking four free throws without a miss in the last 12 seconds of the game.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ MEMPHIS 84-86

Rudy Gay (MEM)
25 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
40 z-pts (1.14), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.74 zFT%

What did I say? Here’s Rudy Gay again, for the second time this week (just like James Posey… I guess the hot hand thing works after all!). Gay hit the winning J over Kevin Durant with 1.3 seconds left to lift the Grizzlies over the Thunder. His z2PT% is hardly much higher than his real 2PT% just because he shot an awful 1-of-4 down the stretch. Watch the recap and the game-winner here.

ORLANDO @ CHARLOTTE 106-95

Vince Carter (ORL)
21 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.60 FT%
31 z-pts (0.98), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 0.59 zFT%

Carter helped his team down the stretch by scoring 7 of the Magic’s last 11 points in regulation.

Jameer Nelson (ORL)
21 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.82), 0.79 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Nelson gave the Magic a two-point lead with 37 seconds left in regulation, then added 6 points in overtime to help his team pull away from the Bobcats. “We had some bad matchups in overtime and they did a great job,” Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. “Jameer got them started.”

OKLAHOMA CITY @ CLEVELAND 99-100

Daniel Gibson (CLE)
13 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.37 3PT%
38 z-pts (1.12), 0.57 z2PT%, 0.68 z3PT%

With 8.7 seconds left, Gibson hit a big three to give the Cavs a two-point lead. LeBron James gets credit for the assist (12 assists vs. 18.67 z-assists).

PORTLAND @ DETROIT 97-93

Andre Miller (POR)
11 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
24 z-pts (0.71), 0.50 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

Martell Webster was the best Blazer in terms of z-points (0.85 for 29 adjusted z-points) but he also got help from Andre Miller, who sunk four clutch free throws in the last 1:42.

SACRAMENTO @ MIAMI 84-115

Omri Casspi (SAC)
13 pts, 0.86 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.33 FT%
3 z-pts (0.03), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.49 zFT%

The rookie from Israel got his points in garbage time in a game that had plenty of it as the Heat routed the Kings 115-84.

CHICAGO @ HOUSTON 104-97

Derrick Rose (CHI)
20 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
25 z-pts (0.57), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

With the Rockets mounting a comeback late in the 4th, Rose stepped up and scored four consecutive points in the last 30 seconds to annihilate Houston’s hopes.

NEW ORLEANS @ DENVER 110-116

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
20 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (1.01), 0.31 z2PT%, 0.69 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Apparently Billups is back in true form. With the Nuggets trailing by one in the last minute of regulation, Chauncey hit a huge 3 to give Denver a two-point lead with 24 seconds left.

Chris Paul (NOR)
26 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
41 z-pts (1.31), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.37 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Although Paul wasn’t the top scorer in this game, he was in terms of z-points. The Hornets superstar scored 11 points in the 4th quarter and 7 more in OT but it wasn’t enough to contain Denver’s late charge in the extra period. In the last minute of regulation, Paul made a couple of clutch plays. First he gave his team the lead with 38 seconds remaining, and later he tied the game at 101 with a great layup over Kenyon Martin.

NBA Photos

Sunday Beat is a weekly post featuring the most remarkable performances of the week, z-points-wise.

MINNESOTA @ UTAH 110-108

Jonny Flynn (MIN)
28 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
45 z-pts (1.34), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.60 zFT%

Clearly, from looking at the box score we can tell that Flynn was the man of the game. The disparity between his adjusted z-points and normal points (44.67 vs. 28) tells us that he did something in the clutch. Then, by looking at his z-point % we see a disparity in 2PT shots (0.776 vs. 0.538) and also see that most of his z-points come from 2PT range (0.95 out of 1.34). And since the final score is 110-108 Wolves, we can infer that Flynn must have scored the go-ahead basket with the game tied at 108. Which is, in fact, what happened. But we can also see a disparity in 3PT% (0.28 vs. 0.67), indicating that Flynn must have missed from beyond the arc in crunch time (he did, missing two crucial three-pointers in the last 1:45).

NEW YORK @ CHARLOTTE 87-94

Raymond Felton (CHA)
18 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.74), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Following the same logic, we can figure out that Felton was clutch in this game from 2PT range. 0.64 out of his 0.74 z-points came from that distance, and his z2PT% is also higher than his 2PT% (0.66 vs. 0.54). Felton scored back-to-back baskets in a 35-second span at the end of the 4th, then hit a couple of free throws with 17 seconds remaining to kill the game.

SACRAMENTO @ PORTLAND 88-95

LaMarcus Aldridge (POR)
25 pts, 0.48 2PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (0.88), 0.56 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Aldridge scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half, including 7 in the 4th quarter to help the Blazers pull away from the Kings. Worth noting that Brandon Roy also scored 25 points, but in terms of z-points he only got 22 for Aldridge’s 33, showing the difference in the overall contribution to the win (in terms of scoring, that is).

ORLANDO @ MIAMI 86-104

J.J. Redick (ORL)
13 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
3 z-pts (0.03), 0.91 z2PT%, 0.02 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Heat routed the Magic as they went on fire right from the beginning, outscoring Orlando 33-18 in the first quarter. Redick scored 11 of his 13 points in a 4th quarter that was all garbage time.

PHOENIX @ PORTLAND 102-105

Jerryd Bayless (POR)
29 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
42 z-pts (1.03), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

Blayless had a spectacular performance with 16 points in the 4th quarter, teaming up with Brandon Roy in crunch time to deliver a win for the Blazers. “Me and Bran talk about what I can do,” Bayless said. “He can be the LeBron [James] and I can be Mo [Williams], a guy that can make plays.”

PHILADELPHIA @ BOSTON 98-97

Elton Brand (PHI)
23 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.90 FT%
33 z-pts (1.06), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Brand’s tip shot with 7 seconds remaining ended the Celts’ winning streak at 11.

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
28 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
45 z-pts (1.34), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.60 zFT%

Iguodala scored 7 points in the last 4:33, including a nice And-1 to put the Sixers ahead with 1:43 to go.

Marreese Speights (PHI)
17 pts, 0.37 2PT%, 0.62 FT%
23 z-pts (0.75), 0.20 z2PT%, 0.82 zFT%

Speights put up 9 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter, including two clutch free throws with 29 seconds left. However, he was pretty inefficient from the field, going 3-of-8 in the 4th (note how his z2P% is lower than his real 2PT%). On the other hand, his zFT% is higher than his FT%, reflecting the fact that he shot efficiently from the line when it mattered.

Ray Allen (BOS)
17 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.37 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.74), 0.38 z2PT%, 0.35 z3PT%

Allen had 7 points in the last 4:11 of the game, but he missed a potential winning-shot at the buzzer (which explains his lower z2PT%). To be fair, it was Pierce who was given the opportunity to win the game in the last possession of the game, and after he missed Allen got the rebound with just enough time to throw a desperate shot that didn’t go in.

Kevin Garnett (BOS)
21 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.79), 0.17 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Garnett shot awfully in the 4th, missing all of his four field goals (hence his 0.17 z2PT%). However, he went 4-of-4 from the free throw line, two of them to put the Celtics ahead with 23 seconds remaining.

Paul Pierce (BOS)
9 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%
6 z-pts (0.20), 0.11 z2PT%, 0.43 z3PT%

Bad game from Pierce, who went scoreless in the last quarter on 0-of-3 shooting, including a missed jumper that could have won the game for Boston (which explains his terrible 0.11 z2PT%).

MILWAUKEE @ CLEVELAND 82-85

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
18 pts, 0.31 2PT%, 0.12 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.42), 0.33 z2PT%, 0.06 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Bucks rallied with a 14-2 run in the last 6:33, enough to give them a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer in the last possession. But Jennings, who has often been lethal in clutch situations, threw an airball from beyond the arc, ending Milwaukee’s hopes for a win in Cleveland. “Our last shot was a terrible shot,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “We needed a much better shot than that”.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ NEW YORK 91-95

Chris Duhon (NYK)
17 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
27 z-pts (0.75), 100% z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.59 zFT%

Duhon scored 9 of his 17 points in the last 4:41 of the game. He was perfect from the field, making all of his three shots and also going 3-of-4 from the free throw line. However, the one free throw that he missed was a clutch one (the Knicks were leading by just one point with 13 seconds remaining), and that lowered his zFT%.

David Lee (NYK)
25 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (0.88), 0.81 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Lee got some big z-points thanks to a tip shot that gave the Knicks the lead with 28 seconds remaining.

Rasual Butler (LAC)
9 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 100% FT%
5 z-pts (0.15), 0.23 z2PT%, 0.06 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Butler had a decent look in the last shot of the game, a 3 that would have won it for the Clippers, but missed it. That’s why his z3PT% is lower than his real, non-clutch-adjusted 3PT%.

HOUSTON @ DALLAS 116-108

Tim Thomas (DAL)
10 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.55), 0.28 z2PT%, 0.73 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

With Nowitzki out of the game, Tim Thomas filled in the void in the clutch department by burying a three-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation that sent the game to OT.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ PHILADELPHIA 112-107

Al Thornton (LAC)
12 pts, 0.42 2PT%
26 z-pts (0.77), 0.63 z2PT%

Thornton tied the game with 11 seconds remaining, forcing the extra period in which the Clippers would prevail.

Marreese Speights (PHI)
28 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
46 z-pts (1.35), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.64 zFT%

Speights had a big 4th quarter, scoring 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 4-of-5 from the line. His last bucket in regulation put the Sixers ahead with 20 seconds left in the game.

ATLANTA @ CHICAGO 98-101

Derrick Rose (CHI)
32 pts, 0.61 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
49 z-pts (1.59), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

“I guess I did what I’m supposed to do out there tonight and we were able to win,” Rose said. The Bulls PG was impressive, scoring 16 points in the 4th quarter and overtime combined on 6-of-9 shooting. Rose tied the game in regulation and then hit two clutch free throws in overtime to seal the game. Luol Deng and Joe Johnson missed shots at the end of regulation that would have won the game for their teams (see how their z2PT% is lower that their real 2PT%, reflecting those misses in the clutch). Joe Johnson also missed a game-tying three-pointer at the end of overtime. His lower z3PT% shows that, too.

SACRAMENTO @ MILWAUKEE 96-95

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
24 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
31 z-pts (1.18), 0.62 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

He did it again. The rookie drove to the basket in the last possession of the game and made the winning layup. “Coach told me it was my time to go out and make a play, and I did it,” Evans said.

Jason Thompson (SAC)
22 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
32 z-pts (1.24), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Thompson was big in the clutch, scoring 7 of his 22 points in the last 2:40 on 3-of-3 shooting. His last shot was a go-ahead basket for the Kings with 11 seconds to go.

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
15 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
22 z-pts (0.85), 0.18 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Evans got the best of Jennings in this Rookie of the Year showdown. Although Jennings scored in the clutch, he didn’t do it very efficiently, as shown by his awful z-shooting %. He missed all of his three field goal attempts in the 4th quarter, but made it up by going 4-of-4 from the line, including two clutch free throws to regain the lead with 20 seconds left in the game.

Ersan Ilyasova (MIL)
14 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.89), 0.84 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Almost a game-winner for the Bucks forward from Turkey. Ilyasova took advantage of pass from Jennings to put the Bucks one point ahead of the Kings with 5 seconds to go (see how Jennings is credited for the assist- 9 assists vs. 12.89 z-assists).

INDIANA @ SAN ANTONIO 99-100

Tim Duncan (SAS)
19 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.60 FT%
39 z-pts (1.11), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.70 zFT%

Duncan won the game for the Spurs with a dunk with 4 seconds remaining. Because of that clutch play, one would expect Duncan’s z2PT% to skyrocket. But he also missed his share in crunch time, getting his shot blocked twice in the final minute (both times by Roy Hibbert). The second time, he was lucky enough to get the ball back and slam the win home. T.J. Ford had a chance to win the game for the Pacers in the last play of the game, but missed his jumper despite getting a pretty decent look at the basket (his z2PT% reflects that miss).

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Sunday Beat is a weekly post featuring the most remarkable performances of the week, z-points-wise.

MEMPHIS @ L.A. CLIPPERS 88-98

Al Thornton (LAC)
18 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.40 FT%
31 z-pts (0.61), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.55 zFT%

Thornton scored 8 of his 18 points in the last 2:26 to help the Clippers pull away from the Grizzlies in crunch time.

HOUSTON @ OKLAHOMA CITY 100-91

Aaron Brooks (HOU)
21 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.73), 0.52 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Brooks scored 18 of his 21 in the second half, including 9 points in the last 4:39.

Carl Landry (HOU)
21 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
26 z-pts (0.67), 0.48 z2PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Landry was also key to the Rockets winning this game, scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half on 7-of-13 shooting.

PHILADELPHIA @ DALLAS 102-104

Jason Terry (DAL)
7 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%
27 z-pts (0.63), 0.95 z2PT%, 0.23 z3PT%

Terry hit a fadeaway jumper over Willie Green with 1 second left to win this game. But we don’t need to watch the game to know what happened. Look at Terry’s stat line: he only scored 7 points but he’s got 27 (0.63) z-points, so he was clearly clutch in this game. From where? Look at his 2PT% vs. z2PT%: 0.67 vs. 0.95, which shows that he won it for the Mavs with a 2-point shot.

CHICAGO @ MILWAUKEE 97-99

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
15 pts, 0.18 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.72), 0.27 z2PT%, 0.82 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Brandon Jennings hit two clutch free throws to make it 98-95 Bucks with 13 seconds to go. Although those two free throws account only for 13% of his points, they amount to as much as 44% of his z-points, showing how z-scores are heavily tilted towards clutchness.

WASHINGTON @ TORONTO 106-102

Jarrett Jack (TOR)
18 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.67), 0.42 z2PT%, 0.56 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Jarrett Jack gets credit for keeping the Raptors close in the game. He scored 5 points in 38 seconds to put Toronto two points behind with 58 seconds left in the game.

PHOENIX @ NEW YORK 99-126

Alando Tucker (PHO)
14 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.62 FT%
0.17 z-pts (0.00), 0.38 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.53 zFT%

z-points are helpful to determine clutch plays, but also to expose all those points scored in garbage time. Alando Tucker got all of his 14 points in a 4th quarter that started with the Suns 24 points behind the Knicks.

MILWAUKEE @ WASHINGTON 102-104

Earl Boykins (WAS)
13 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.70 FT%
41 z-pts (1.38), 0.72 z2PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Huge game in crunch time by Boykins, who scored 10 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter including four free throws on 4-of-4 in the last 17 seconds. His two last FTs came with the game tied and just one second left, virtually giving the Wizards the W in this one.

TORONTO @ WASHINGTON 109-107

Hedo Turkoglu (TOR)
20 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
30 z-pts (1.11), 100% z2PT%, 0.22 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Turkoglu scored the last 6 points of the game for the Raptors, including a baseline fadeaway jumper to put Toronto ahead 109-107 with 8 seconds left in OT.

Chris Bosh (TOR)
31 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.62 FT%
40 z-pts (1.48), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Bosh scored 13 of his 31 points in the 4th quarter, including two clutch free throws with 19 seconds left in regulation to put his team 96-94 ahead of the Wizards.

Gilbert Arenas (WAS)
34 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 0.45 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
40 z-pts (1.47), 0.49 z2PT%, 0.56 z3PT%, 0.58 zFT%

Agent Zero hit the jumper that sent the game to OT, then sank a 3 to tie the game at 107 with 30 seconds left in the extra period.

NEW YORK @ ATLANTA 114-107

Larry Hughes (NYK)
16 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
23 z-pts (0.49), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Hugues scored 10 of his 16 points to help the Knicks pull away in a 4th quarter that started with New york trailing the Hawks by one.

MIAMI @ L.A. LAKERS 107-108

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
33 pts, 0.45 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
49 z-pts (1.65), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.93 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Kobe hit an amazing 3 off the glass to win the game at the buzzer. “It was the luckiest shot I’ve ever taken, by far,” Bryant said. “It felt good, but I just couldn’t believe this ball might go in on this shot.”

Dwyane Wade (MIA)
26 pts, 0.35 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
42 z-pts (1.44), 0.49 z2PT%, 0.66 zFT%

Wade scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, 7 of them in the last 1:25. However, that wouldn’t be enough as Kobe hit that unbelievable 3. “The basketball gods were with him on that one, but we did a great job and did what we’re supposed to do on the road — give ourselves a chance to win”, Wade said. “But a great player hit an unbelievable shot. There are a couple of guys around the league that make big shots, but there ain’t many, and he’s one of them.”

PHILADELPHIA @ CHARLOTTE 105-106

Raymond Felton (CHA)
18 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
36 z-pts (1.16), 0.71 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Bobcats PG took it to the hole to make the winning layup with 4.7 seconds left. Felton scored 9 of his 18 points in the last 4 minutes.

Boris Diaw (CHA)
28 pts, 0.83 2PT%, 0.83 3PT%, 100% FT%
36 z-pts (1.17), 0.94 z2PT%, 0.85 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The French man had a very effective game, as shown by his shooting %. He was also clutch down the stretch, scoring 10 points in the last seven minutes. That included a big 3 to put the Bobcats one point behind Philly with 1:22 left in the game, and a layup to take the lead with 17 seconds left.

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
22 pts, 0.29 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
33 z-pts (1.06), 0.23 z2PT%, 0.49 z3PT%, 0.93 zFT%

It wasn’t a great shooting night for Iguodala, who started the 4th quarter missing his first four shots, but he was there at the end to sink a couple of clutch free throws with 13 seconds left. However, he missed a potential winning shot at the buzzer (hence his lower z2PT% and his higher ZFT%).

TORONTO @ CHICAGO 110-78

Brad Miller (CHI)
11 pts, 0.29 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
3 z-pts (0.02), 0.00 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.63 zFT%

This game was over from the first quarter, in which the Raptors outscored the Bulls 40 to 16. Miller got his points in garbage time and that’s why he put up only 3 z-points and a dismal 0.002 shooting percentage from z2PT range.

HOUSTON @ PORTLAND 89-90

Brandon Roy (POR)
28 pts, 0.61 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
51 z-pts (1.88), 0.81 z2PT%, 0.36 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The high z2PT% together with his big z-points show that Roy was huge in the clutch from 2-point range. In fact, that was the case as Roy made an incredible layup with 3 seconds left to win this one for the Blazers. Overall, he scored 12 points in the 4th on 5-of-6 shooting.

Carl Landry (HOU)
23 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.82 FT%
31 z-pts (1.14), 0.39 z2PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Landry kept going to the line in the 4th quarter, hitting 9-of-10 in the quarter. 70% of his z-points came from free throws.

Luis Scola (HOU)
21 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
26 z-pts (0.97), 0.70 z2PT%, 0.81 zFT%

With 9 seconds left, Scola made a jumper to put the Rockets one point ahead, but Brandon Roy’s layup in the last play would take this game away from the Rockets.

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