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

L.A. LAKERS @ TORONTO 105-106

Hedo Turkoglu (TOR)
9 pts, 0.00 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
27 z-pts (0.81), 0.00 z2PT%, 0.49 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Turkoglu’s free throws with 1.2 seconds left lifted the Raptors over the Lakers. “I was surprised. I thought I wasn’t going to go to the line,” Turkoglu said. “Usually I don’t rely on that because sometimes you get calls and sometimes you don’t.”

Andrea Bargnani (TOR)
22 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.17 3PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.82), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.12 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Italian scored 12 of his 22 points in the 4th quarter. His last three points came from an And-1 with 1:15 remaining to put the Raptors one point behind the Lakers, setting up the stage for Turkoglu’s clutch free throws at the end. The Lakers only scored two points in the last 3:23.

INDIANA @ PHILADELPHIA 109-98

Dahntay Jones (IND)
18 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
25 z-pts (0.64), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.81 zFT%

In a two-minute span late in the 4th quarter, Jones scored 7 points (And-1 included) to help the Pacers pull away from the Sixers. 11 of his 18 points came in the 4th quarter.

CHICAGO @ SAN ANTONIO 98-93

Joakim Noah (CHI)
11 pts, 0.80 2PT%, 0.60 FT%
18 z-pts (0.55), 0.93 z2PT%, 0.40 zFT%

With the game tied at 93 and 37 seconds left, Noah finished strong as he scored Chicago’s last five points to give the Bulls their third win in a row.

PHOENIX @ UTAH 115-124

Wesley Matthews (UTA)
21 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.86 FT%
30 z-pts (0.66), 0.42 z2PT%, 0.55 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Matthews scored 10 points in the last quarter and sparked the late run that ultimately put the game away for the Jazz.

NEW ORLEANS @ PORTLAND 98-97

Chris Paul (NOR)
24 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
41 z-pts (1.17), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.50 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Blazers made a defensive mistake leaving Paul open in the last seconds of the game. He made them pay as he hit a clutch jumper with 3.8 left to win the game. David West gets credit for the assist (2 assists vs. 10.23 z-assists).

CHARLOTTE @ PHOENIX 114-109

Stephen Jackson (CHA)
30 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
37 z-pts (1.09), 0.49 z2PT%, 0.53 z3PT%, 0.70 zFT%

Jackson wasn’t great in crunch time, scoring 6 points in the 4th quarter and OT combined on just 2-of-8, but his three-pointer with 19 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game and forced the extra period (in the last possession of regulation, Jared Dudley missed a trey that would have won it for Phoenix – see how his z3PT% drops as a result).

Steve Nash (PHO)
23 pts, 0.15 2PT%, 0.56 3PT%, 100% FT%
29 z-pts (0.85), 0.20 z2PT%, 0.61 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Bad shooting night for Nash, who still managed to score 8 points in the last minutes of regulation to keep the Suns in the game.

GOLDEN STATE @ SACRAMENTO 96-99

Beno Udrih (SAC)
24 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (0.62), 0.50 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Udrih scored Sacramento’s last five points – in the last 20 seconds of the game- from the free throw line, going 5-of-5 as the Kings escaped alive the Warriors’ late run.

MEMPHIS @ DETROIT 99-93

Marc Gasol (MEM)
15 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.49), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

A sensational Marc Gasol scored the Grizz’s last 8 points (6 of them from the free throw line) to beat the Pistons in Detroit.

PHILADELPHIA @ MILWAUKEE 88-91

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
18 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.33 FT%
28 z-pts (0.76), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.40 z3PT%, 0.27 zFT%

With the game tied and 22 seconds remaining, Jennings scored the go-ahead bucket for Milwaukee. Those two points alone are worth 46% of the rookie’s total z-points.

TORONTO @ NEW YORK 106-104

Jarrett Jack (TOR)
9 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
20 z-pts (0.60), 100% z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.77 zFT%

Jack was key in the last minute as he scored the go-ahead basket with 50 seconds remaining and later hit a free throw for a two-point lead with 7 seconds to go.

BOSTON @ ORLANDO 94-96

Rashard Lewis (ORL)
23 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
40 z-pts (1.23), 0.85 z2PT%, 0.78 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Good stuff from Lewis, who drove past Kevin Garnett to make the winning layup in the last second. Rasheed Wallace had a great look to win it for Boston in the ensuing possession but missed the shot (see how his z3PT% shows that).

WASHINGTON @ NEW JERSEY 81-79

Earl Boykins (WAS)
15 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
32 z-pts (0.97), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.50 zFT%

The little guy hit another big shot. With .4 seconds left Boykins took advantage of a screen to get off a shot and bury the Nets’ hopes for a win.

Brook Lopez (NJN)
17 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.62 FT%
25 z-pts (0.75), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.57 zFT%

Lopez’s layup tied the game at 79 with 13 seconds left, but Boykins last-second heroics sentenced the game.

PORTLAND @ HOUSTON 100-104

Carl Landry (HOU)
21 pts, 0.46 2PT%, 0.64 FT%
35 z-pts (0.87), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Landry scored 15 of his 21 points in the 4th and was the key to the Rockets’ win over the Blazers.

PORTLAND @ DALLAS 114-112

Andre Miller (POR)
52 pts, 0.70 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.78 FT%
65 z-pts (2.53), 0.82 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.90 zFT%

Terrific game by Miller, who scored 18 points in the 4th quarter on 7-of-8 shooting and added 7 more in overtime on 3-of-3 shooting, to highlight the Mavs with an amazing 2.53 z-points.

Juwan Howard (POR)
2 pts, 0.33 2PT%
7 z-pts (0.26), 0.76 z2PT%

Howard scored the go-ahead basket with 44 seconds left in overtime to lift the Blazers over the Mavs in this highly contested game.

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
28 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 100% FT%
38 z-pts (1.44), 0.32 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Nowitzki scored 14 fourth-quarter points on 5-of-8 but missed a potentially game-winning shot at the end of regulation. In OT, Dirk went cold as he made only one of five shots, including a missed fade-away jumper to tie the game at the buzzer.

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).

NBA Photos

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

SAN ANTONIO @ UTAH 101-104

Deron Williams (UTA)
17 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%
28 z-pts (0.79), 0.70 z2PT%, 0.30 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Williams scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, but more importantly he put the Jazz ahead with 22 seconds on the clock.

Tim Duncan (SAS)
23 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.86), 0.58 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Duncan had 4 points in the last minute, including two clutch FTs to put the Spurs one point ahead of the Jazz with 28 seconds to go.

Carlos Boozer (UTA)
27 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.78 FT%
27 z-pts (0.76), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.24 zFT%

With 10 seconds left and Utah up by one, Boozer went to the line to shoot two and missed them both. Note how his zFT% reflects those missed clutch free throws.

MILWAUKEE @ BOSTON 89-98

Rajon Rondo (BOS)
11 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.71 FT%
19 z-pts (0.48), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.71 zFT%

Rondo is not particularly known for being a scoring threat, but in this game he had all of his points in the 4th quarter to lead Boston’s final push.

SACRAMENTO @ NEW ORLEANS 94-96

Darius Songaila (NOR)
11 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
26 z-pts (0.86), 100% z2PT%, 0.50 zFT%

Songaila was perfect from the field, hitting all of his 5 shots. One of them was the winning layup with 11 seconds left in the game.

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
25 pts, 0.62 2PT%, 0.62 FT%
33 z-pts (1.09), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.75 zFT%

The rookie scored 9 points in the last two minutes, keeping the Kings’ chance to win this game alive until the end.

NEW JERSEY @ CHICAGO 103-101

Devin Harris (NJN)
17 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
29 z-pts (0.94), 0.76 z2PT%, 0.29 z3PT%, 0.72 zFT%

Harris hit the go-ahead shot with 14 seconds left. “I saw an opening and I knew what to do,” he said. “It was the same play they ran, we ran on the other end. Pretty much an isolation. It was my shot to take.”

Derrick Rose (CHI)
27 pts, 0.59 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.25 FT%
36 z-pts (1.14), 0.72 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.038 zFT%

Rose scored 9 points in the 4th quarter, including a running jumper with 19 seconds left that put the Bulls ahead. Note also how John Salmons has a really bad 0.15 z3PT% (vs. his real 0.40 3PT%) as he missed a critical 3 with 7 seconds left.

CLEVELAND @ MEMPHIS 109-111

Mike Conley (MEM)
12 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
26 z-pts (1.00), 0.81 z2PT%, 0.22 z3PT%, 0.88 zFT%

Conley scored only 12 against the Cavs but his last two points won the game. The PG from Ohio State drove to the basket, deceived Shaq with a little hesitation move and then took it all the way to the hole for the winning layup. “He gave me the Allen Iverson, carry-hessy move, and he got me,” O’Neal said.

LeBron James (CLE)
43 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.36 3PT%, 0.92 FT%
57 z-pts (2.21), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.17 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

When one looks at z-points, it’s good to see not only how many of them were ’scored’, but also how effectively (that is, zFG%). LeBron scored a ton of z-points in this game (2.21 is just insane!), which means that he SCORED in the clutch (he had 16 points in the 4th quarter and overtime combined). But did he miss also? Well, look at his z3PT% (0.17). That’s telling us that he missed some 3s in crunch time. He did indeed, missing potentially game-winning 3s at both the end of regulation and overtime.

PHOENIX @ DALLAS 101-102

Jason Terry (DAL)
15 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.20 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
28 z-pts (0.74), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.19 z3PT%, 0.49 zFT%

Same story for Terry. He scored a couple of big free throws at the end of OT to make it 99-102 Mavs with 6 seconds left, but then missed his next two free throws with 2 seconds left and the Mavs up by just one point. Note how his zFT% is much lower than his true FT%, showing that his scoring % in the clutch wasn’t that good because of those two missed free throws.

DETROIT @ PHILADELPHIA 90-86

Rodney Stuckey (DET)
27 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 100% FT%
38 z-pts (1.24), 0.52 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Rodney Stuckey is making the most of his minutes for the injury-plagued Pistons, scoring 8 points in the 4th including the winning shot. Pistons coach John Kuester said after the game, “No question I want the ball in his hands. You saw a lot of growth in a young man. I’ve been telling people about how good he can be. He can be one of the best guards in the league and he showed it tonight.”

NEW ORLEANS @ MINNESOTA 97-96

Chris Paul (NOR)
15 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.20 3PT%, 100% FT%
34 z-pts (0.89), 0.84 z2PT%, 0.16 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

With 4 seconds left and the Hornets trailing by one, Paul threw the inbounds pass to David West, then made a backdoor cut behind rookie Jonny Flynn – who completely missed it-, got the ball back from West and put it in to win the game.

PORTLAND @ CLEVELAND 99-104

Anderson Varejao (CLE)
22 pts, 0.59 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
29 z-pts (0.76), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.61 zFT%

Varejao was key for the Cavs in this game, scoring 12 of his 22 points in the 4th quarter on 6-of-7 shooting.

ORLANDO @ PHOENIX 103-106

Grant Hill (PHO)
12 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
16 z-pts (0.44), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

The talented veteran of the Phoenix Suns made the go-ahead jumper with 1:08 to go.

Anthony Johnson (ORL)
11 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.55), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.21 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Johnson scored all of his 11 points in the 4th quarter, but he missed a 3 in the last minute with the score 103-104 Suns. Note how his z3PT% is lower than his 3PT%. The same goes for Rashard Lewis, who missed a potentially-tying 3 at the buzzer.

INDIANA @ WASHINGTON 114-112

Mike Dunleavy (IND)
24 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.77 FT%
37 z-pts (1.16), 100% z2PT%, 0.51 z3PT%, 0.95 zFT%

Dunleavy sank four free throws in the last 13 seconds to give the Pacers the win on this one. Note how his zFT% is higher than his real FT%.

Earl Boykins (WAS)
14 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
27 z-pts (0.84), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Boykins went 5-of-7 to score 10 of his 14 points in the last quarter, including a bucket with 22 seconds to go that put the Wizards two points ahead of the Pacers.

Gilbert Arenas (WAS)
22 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.57 FT%
18 z-pts (0.55), 0.53 z2PT%, 0.25 z3PT%, 0.13 zFT%

See how low Arenas’ zFT% is (0.13)? Agent Zero missed both of his free throws with 6 seconds left and the Wizards trailing by one. “It’s really frustrating,” he said. “I’m shooting them all day. I mean, I don’t even know why I’m sitting here talking about some free throws. I never fathomed that I’d be missing free throws again. Maybe it’s just mental, because I’m making them in practice.”

CHARLOTTE @ DALLAS 97-98

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
36 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
60 z-pts (2.32), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.90 zFT%

Dirk was once again super-clutch for the Mavs, lighting up the Bobcats with 36 points worth an astounding 2.32 z-points. After a rough start, Nowitzki scored half of his points in the 4th quarter and overtime. He had 6 points in the last 1:16 of regulation, including a jumper to tie the game and send it to OT with 10 seconds left. Then he went on and scored four points in the last 24 seconds of overtime, including the winning jumper over Boris Diaw. “The definition of a franchise player is one who wants the responsibility for winning or losing,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “He wants the ball in his hands when the game is being decided, and the only thing he’s thinking about when he gets the ball is finding a way to win the game.”

Gerald Wallace (CHA)
23 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
34 z-pts (1.30), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.64 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

Wallace was clutch from the free throw line, making four FTs in the last 34 seconds of overtime. The last two  gave the Bobcats the lead with 13 seconds remaining, but then would come Nowitzki to hit the winner in the last play of the game.

PORTLAND @ MILWAUKEE 101-108

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
18 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (1.11), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.48 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Brandon Jennings hit a jumper to put Milwaukee ahead with 19 seconds left in regulation, then tied the game at 95 in overtime to send the game to a second OT.

LaMarcus Aldridge (POR)
31 pts, 0.59 2PT%, 0.71 FT%
40 z-pts (1.39), 0.70 z2PT%, 0.88 zFT%

Aldridge was huge late in the 4th quarter, scoring 5 points in the last 1:16, then added 6 more in the first overtime on 3-of-3 shooting.

Brandon Roy (POR)
23 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
30 z-pts (1.05), 0.33 z2PT%, 0.36 z3PT%, 0.71 zFT%

Roy tied the game at 87 with 12 seconds left in the 4th to force the OT, but he wouldn’t be very effective after that, going 2-of-7 in the extended periods.

NBA Photos

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.

NBA Photos

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

NEW ORLEANS @ MIAMI 101-102

Udonis Haslem (MIA)
14 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
32 z-pts (0.88), 0.72 z2PT%, 0.67 zFT%

Haslem’s two last jumpers were money: the first one to tie the game at 100, the second one to win it for the Heat.

BOSTON @ NEW YORK 107-105

Kevin Garnett (BOS)
10 pts, 0.27 2PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (1.07), 0.59 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

It’s not like Garnett had a great game against the Knicks. I mean… until he beat them at the buzzer. But isn’t that just what great players do, deliver in crunch time?

David Lee (NYK)
22 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.89 FT%
30 z-pts (1.00), 0.73 z2PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Lee tied the game at 105 with just 9 seconds left in overtime. Note also how Larry Hughes gets credit for the clutch assist (4 assists vs. 5.89 z-assists).

OKLAHOMA CITY @ L.A. LAKERS 85-101

D.J. White (OKL)
12 pts, 0.86 2PT%
0.89 z-pts (0.01), 0.99 z2PT%

D.J. White got his numbers in the 4th and end of the 3rd quarter. By then the game was already a blow out, and that’s why he only gets 0.89 z-points to show for his 12 points.

PHILADELPHIA @ WASHINGTON 107-108

Lou Williams (PHI)
26 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
38 z-pts (0.99), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.72 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Williams scored 7 of his 26 points in the last 2:15 of the game but that wouldn’t be enough to win this game.

Gilbert Arenas (WAS)
17 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.625 FT%
23 z-pts (0.61), 0.57 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Agent Zero put the Wizards ahead 107-108 with 52 seconds left, and that would end up being the final score.

GOLDEN STATE @ DALLAS 111-103

Stephen Curry (GSW)
18 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
29 z-pts (0.78), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

“The first quarter, I was thinking too much,” Curry said after the game. “But the coaches kept telling me to shoot the ball and I made a few.” The rookie scored 11 of his 18 points in the final 4 minutes of the game.

MILWAUKEE @ NEW ORLEANS 99-102

Darren Collison (NOR)
18 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
35 z-pts (1.32), 0.47 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.74 zFT%

Another rookie delivering in the clutch. Collison scored 5 points in the last 14 seconds of regulation, including a shot beyond the arc to send the game to overtime. Collison sank 3 of the 4 clutch free throws that he had in the extra period to help the Hornets get the W. “Darren has been to Final Fours,” teammate David West said. “When it comes to competition and pressure situations, it doesn’t get any tougher than that. We knew he could come in and handle it. We expected this from him.”

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
14 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
25 z-pts (0.97), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.15 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Not a very effective game by Jennings in terms of shooting percentage, but he managed to score a few clutch free throws at the end of regulation and also made a layup to tie the game in OT with 27 seconds left.

NEW YORK @ DENVER 125-128

J.R. Smith (DEN)
17 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
26 z-pts (0.68), 0.43 z2PT%, 0.73 z3PT%, 0.50 zFT%

J.R. Smith was hot in the 4th quarter, scoring 11 points in 3 minutes including three shots from beyond the arc.

NBA Photos

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

DALLAS @ DETROIT 95-90

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
25 pts, 0.44 2PT%
34 z-pts (0.90), 0.52 z2PT%

After missing his first three field goals of the 4th quarter, Nowitzki went 4-of-6 in the last 6 minutes to help the Mavs win this game.

Will Bynum (DET)
27 pts, 0.71 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (0.85), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.6 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

4th quarter was all Bynum for the Pistons, as he scored 17 of his 27 points in the period- including a bucket to put Detroit within 3 points with 30 seconds remaining.

TORONTO @ PHOENIX 100-101

Hedo Turkoglu (TOR)
20 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 0.44 3PT%
29 z-pts (0.86), 0.31 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%

Turkoglu did put up some points in the clutch but he wasn’t very effective overall, as shown by his lower z%. He missed a three with 30 seconds left and the Raptors trailing by one, and later he’d miss a jump shot at the buzzer that could have won it for the Raps.

Steve Nash (PHO)
23 pts, 0.6 2PT%, 0.17 3PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.85), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.11 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

An And-1 by Nash put the scoreboard at 100-101 for the Suns, and that be the final score as Turkoglu missed at the buzzer. Nash is playing again with the confidence of a back-to-back MVP.

PORTLAND @ ATLANTA 95-99

Joe Johnson (ATL)
35 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 100% FT%
55 z-pts (1.73), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.59 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Great clutch performance by Joe Johnson. The Hawks shooting guard scored 10 points in the 4th period (including 4 points in the last 14 seconds of regulation) and added 8 more in overtime. Note the magnitude of his z-points but also how his z% improves over his normal %, showing that he scored effectively down the stretch.

DALLAS @ MILWAUKEE 115-113

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
32 pts, 0.48 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
49 z-pts (1.67), 0.53 z2PT%, 0.82 z3PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Luck counts in life. Go tell Nowitzki, who scored the winning shot for the Mavs in this fashion. Big, lucky z-points for Dirk.

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
25 pts, 0.31 2PT%, 0.44 3PT%, 0.62 FT%
34 z-pts (1.16), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.18 z3PT%, 0.63 zFT%

Jennings scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, including a jumper to put the Bucks ahead with 45 seconds left in regulation. However, he missed a three-pointer at the buzzer of the 4th with the game tied, and another couple of three’s in overtime (one of them with 3 seconds left and the game tied again). Just look at how terrible his z3PT% is!

CHARLOTTE @ PHILADELPHIA 84-86

Lou Williams (PHI)
19 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
39 z-pts (1.19), 0.76 z2PT%, 0.35 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Lou Williams scored two clutch free throws and the winning layup in the final minute of the game.

SAN ANTONIO @ DALLAS 94-99

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
41 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
51 z-pts (1.81), 0.61 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.85 zFT%

This must be Super-Clutch week for Nowitzki. Third appearance on our weekly Sunday Beat for the German, who had another great performance. Dirk scored to put the Mavs ahead with 14 seconds left in regulation, but Tim Duncan would score later to send the game to OT. It would be there where we would see the best from Nowitzki, as he scored 11 points in the extra period to make sure that the Mavericks escaped with the win.

Tim Duncan (SAS)
22 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
28 z-pts (0.99), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.87 zFT%

Duncan scored a couple of clutch free throws and hit the game-tying shot at the end of the 4th, but went scoreless in the overtime.

UTAH @ SAN ANTONIO 90-83

Carlos Boozer (UTA)
18 pts, 0.39 2PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.86), 0.55 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

5 points from Boozer in the final 1:39 (And-1 included) were key to seal the game for the Jazz.

HOUSTON @ ATLANTA 103-105

Josh Smith (ATL)
9 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
27 z-pts (0.78), 0.82 z2PT%, 0.49 zFT%

Game winner tip shot by Josh Smith as the Hawks beat the Rockets 103-105. See how z-points work: Smith had 6 points out of his total 9 points from 2-point range. That’s 66% of his points. But because he hit a clutch 2-pointer, Josh Smith gets credit for it by having 91% of his total z-points (0.71 out of 0.78) come from 2-point shots.

Carl Landry (HOU)
18 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.72), 0.41 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Two clutch free throws by Landry tied the game at 103 with 5 seconds left.

SACRAMENTO @ HOUSTON 106-113

Carl Landry (HOU)
20 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.68), 0.79 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Landry was key once again for the Rockets, scoring 13 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter.

DETROIT @ UTAH 97-100

Andrei Kirilenko (UTA)
22 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.78 FT%
37 z-pts (1.32), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.48 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Kirilenko scored 9 of his 22 points in the 4th quarter and added 6 more in overtime. He hit a key three-pointer at the end of regulation (see how that improves his z3PT%) and sank two free throws in the waning moments of overtime to lift the Jazz over the Pistons.

Carlos Boozer (UTA)
22 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.99), 0.71 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Nice game from Boozer, who scored 18 points in the 4th quarter and overtime.

NBA Photos

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

PHOENIX @ PHILADELPHIA 119-115

Jared Dudley (PHO)
18 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.8 3PT%, 0.5 FT%
26 z-pts (0.65), 100% z2PT%, 0.87 z3PT%, 0.5 zFT%

Great game by Dudley, who scored 13 of his 18 points in the 4th quarter, including three 3s (two of them in a 30-second span).

UTAH @ NEW YORK 95-93

Toney Douglas (NYK)
21 pts, 0.86 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%
27 z-pts (0.62), 0.6 z2PT%, 0.37 z3PT%

The rookie from Florida State was just a jumper away from being the Knicks hero against the Jazz. He scored back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 93, but missed a shot with 2 seconds on the clock that would have sent the game to overtime.

DENVER @ CHICAGO 90-89

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
20 pts, 0.35 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.86), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.48 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Melo was far from great against the Bulls, going 3 of 9 in the 4th, along with two offensive fouls, two turnovers and two of his shots blocked in consecutive plays by Luol Deng. But he still managed to score 6 points in the 4th quarter, including the bucket that put the Nuggets ahead with 13 seconds left in the game.

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
17 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.0 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
25 z-pts (0.83), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.0 z3PT%, 0.71 zFT%

Chauncey Billups hit one of his two free throws with the game tied at 89 and less than 1 second left in the game to give the Nuggets the W. Note how most of his z-points (0.58 out of 0.83) come from FTs, indicating that he was clutch from the free throw line.

Derrick Rose (CHI)
22 pts, 0.59 2PT%, 0.0 3PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (1.09), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.0 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Rose stepped up for the Bulls in the 4th quarter, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. He tied the game at 87 with a jumper and then again at 89 with a couple of clutch free throws with 10 seconds remaining.

Luol Deng (CHI)
21 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
15 z-pts (0.50), 0.51 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.57 zFT%

Despite scoring nearly as many points as Derrick Rose, Deng was a non-factor in crunch time. He scored his only 4 points in the 4th at the beginning of the quarter and was invisible offensively down the stretch. That’s why he’s got fewer z-points than Rose (15 vs. 33).

OKLAHOMA CITY @ SACRAMENTO 98-101

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
20 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 100% FT%
29 z-pts (0.78), 0.33 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

The rookie showed nerves of steel as he sank a couple of free throws with 3 seconds remaining, sealing the game for the Kings.

DENVER @ MILWAUKEE 102-108

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
32 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
44 z-pts (1.12), 0.54 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Another rookie that doesn’t cease to amaze. Second consecutive appearance by Mr. Brandon Jennings on our weekly Sunday Beat, this time courtesy of a 4th quarter performance that included 14 points and a couple of three-pointers that helped the Bucks pull away late in the game. I bet some GMs must be pulling their hair now, but who could possibly know back in June that the kid would be so darn good?

HOUSTON @ SACRAMENTO 100-109

Shane Battier (HOU)
23 pts, 0.8 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.72), 0.72 z2PT%, 0.71 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

11 points from Battier helped the Rockets stay in the game in the 4th quarter, but in the end that wouldn’t be enough to beat the Kings.

DETROIT @ WASHINGTON 106-103

Ben Gordon (DET)
29 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.62 3PT%, 0.8 FT%
49 z-pts (1.41), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.48 z3PT%, 0.85 zFT%

Gordon scored eight of the Piston’s final 10 points, showing once again his ability to perform in the clutch and getting credit for it with 49 z-pts (1.41).

UTAH @ CLEVELAND 103-107

LeBron James (CLE)
21 pts, 0.35 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
40 z-pts (1.19), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

LeBron scored the Cavs final eight points over the last 52 seconds, including a three-point play that put Cleveland two points up with 28 secs to go.

GOLDEN STATE @ MILWAUKEE 125-129

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
55 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.87 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
62 z-pts (1.79), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.91 z3PT%, 0.86 zFT%

After going scoreless in the first period, Brandon Jennings scored 55 points to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s franchise rookie record. Brandon scored 29 points in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth, putting up an unbelievable performance that is already one of the best ever by a rookie.

Corey Maggette (GSW)
25 pts, 0.62 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
37 z-pts (1.06), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.56 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Great game by Maggette, who scored 21 of his 25 points in the 4th. All in all, he went 6-of-9 in that period -including a couple of 3’s- and was perfect from the line (7 of 7).

NEW JERSEY @ MIAMI 80-81

Dwyane Wade (MIA)
22 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.2 3PT%, 0.72 FT%
27 z-pts (1.09), 0.5 z2PT%, 0.69 z3PT%, 0.7 zFT%

Wade was pretty bad from behind the arc, going 1 of 5, but the one he hit was super-clutch, giving Miami the victory over the Nets. Note the difference between his real 3PT% and his z3PT%, as the latter accounts for clutchness.

Brook Lopez (NJN)
17 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.33 FT%
28 z-pts (1.10), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.33 zFT%

A tip shot by Lopez with 4 seconds remaining would have won the game for the Nets if it weren’t for Dwyane Wade’s last second shot on the next play.

NBA Photos

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

PHOENIX @ L.A. CLIPPERS 109-107

Steve Nash (PHO)
24 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
47 z-pts (1.57), 0.86 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 0.88 zFT%

With 5 seconds left in the game, Steve Nash made a layup that gave the Suns the win. All in, he scored 15 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter, including a 3 to tie the game with 1:40 left on the clock. Simply amazing.

Leandro Barbosa (PHO)
17 pts, 0.3 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%
24 z-pts (0.80), 0.3 z2PT%, 0.74 z3PT%

Barbosa hit a huge 3 to give Phoenix a 107-104 lead with 23 seconds left. Note also how Channing Frye is credited for assisting Barbosa on this play (2 assists in the game but 7.9 z-assists).

Rasual Butler (LAC)
19 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
22 z-pts (0.74), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.84 z3PT%, 0.64 zFT%

Butler responded to Barbosa’s 3 with his own, to tie the game at 107 with 11 seconds left in the game. Notice how his z3PT% is higher than his true 3PT%, crediting Butler for this play.

Marcus Camby (LAC)
23 pts, 0.71 2PT%
15 z-pts (0.77), 0.59 z2PT%

Camby missed a couple of critical shots down the stretch and that’s why his z2PT% goes down (showing that, despite shooting 71% from 2PT range, he missed in the clutch). Also of note how he scored roughly the same points as Chris Kaman (Kaman had 22 for Camby’s 23), however Kaman got 23 z-points vs Camby’s 15, as the former made some buckets at the end of the game.

DENVER @ PORTLAND 97-94

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
41 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%, 0.9 FT%
52 z-pts (1.65), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.41 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

Monster game by Carmelo Anthony, who lighted up the Blazers with 41 pts (19 in the 4th quarter, hence the 52 z-points) and killed them from the FT line all night long (18 out of 20).

Greg Oden (POR)
6 pts, 0.4 2PT%, 0.5 FT%
3 z-pts (0.11), 0.41 z2PT%, 0.07 zFT%

Greg Oden missed two free throws with 4 seconds left that would have put the Blazers ahead. Note how his zFT% shows that.

NEW YORK @ CHARLOTTE 100-102

Raymond Felton (CHA)
22 pts, 0.5 2PT%, 0.86 FT%
36 z-pts (1.32), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.95 zFT%

Felton sent the game to the second overtime with a layup and scored consistently at the end of the game.

D.J. Augustin (CHA)
15 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
29 z-pts (1.08), 0.48 z2PT%, 0.53 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

D.J. missed a couple of FTs with the Bobcats up by two and 18 seconds left in the game. He would redeem himself later by hitting his FTs with just 2 seconds on the clock and the game tied at 100, giving Charlotte their first win of the season.

SACRAMENTO @ NEW ORLEANS 92-97

Chris Paul (NOR)
31 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.93 FT%
44z-pts (1.32), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

Chris Paul was lethal on the 4th, as he scored 13 of his 31 points in this period (7 of 7 at the line).

DETROIT @ MILWAUKEE 85-96

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
24 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
30 z-pts (0.65), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.66 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Great performance by the rookie in his first official game in Milwaukee. Jennings scored 9 points in a 2-minute span at the end of the 3rd, spurring a rally that the Bucks would never relinquish.