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

WASHINGTON @ BOSTON 83-86

Ray Allen (BOS)
25 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
45 z-pts (1.28), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.88 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

A clutch 3-pointer by Allen gave the lead to the Celtics with 17 seconds remaining. The Celtics SG scored 8 points in the 4th quarter.

SAN ANTONIO @ CLEVELAND 95-97

Delonte West (CLE)
16 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 100% FT%
27 z-pts (0.77), 0.47 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

West scored 8 points in the last period, including a couple of free throws for a 93-91 Cavs lead with under a minute remaining.

Mo Williams (CLE)
17 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.20 3PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.71), 0.43 z2PT%, 0.33 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Williams also buried a couple of clutch free throws to give the Cavaliers a three-point lead with 9 seconds left.

ATLANTA @ NEW YORK 98-99

Al Harrington (NYK)
14 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.56), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Harrington sealed the win for the Knicks with a jumper with 50 seconds left in the game.

GOLDEN STATE @ NEW ORLEANS 131-135

Darren Collison (NOR)
16 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.00 FT%
23 z-pts (0.68), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.77 z3PT%, 0.00 zFT%

Collison’s layup with 9 seconds left gave the Hornets a three point lead and a great chance to win the game.

David West (NOR)
28 pts, 0.69 2PT%, 0.86 FT%
36 z-pts (1.07), 0.70 z2PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Likewise, David West cooly made his two free throws to get a three-point lead with 7 seconds remaining.

TORONTO @ L.A. LAKERS 107-109

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
32 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.91 FT%
51 z-pts (1.61), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.95 zFT%

Another buzzer beater by Kobe Bryant, this time to beat the Raptors with 1.9 seconds left. Kobe scored 12 of his 32 points in the 4th quarter.

Chris Bosh (TOR)
22 pts, 0.31 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
27 z-pts (0.84), 0.28 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Bosh’s three-pointer tied the game with 9 seconds left, setting up the stage for Kobe’s clutch play in the last possession.

DENVER @ NEW ORLEANS 102-95

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
32 pts, 0.52 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
39 z-pts (0.97), 0.59 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Nuggets outscored the Hornets 12-4 between the 7:13 and 3:45 mark in the 4th quarter, led by Anthony’s 8 points during that stretch. Overall, Melo scored 12 of his 32 points in the 4th.

NBA Photos

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

BOSTON @ SACRAMENTO 95-92

Paul Pierce (BOS)
17 pts, 0.27 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
31 z-pts (0.88), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.72 z3PT%, 0.95 zFT%

The great thing about z-points is that we don’t need to watch the game to figure out who made important contributions to win. Pierce stands out in the box score with 31 adjusted z-points (0.88 z-points), thanks to his 7 points in the last 3:24, including a key 3-pointer for the lead with 1:38 and a couple of clutch free throws with 2 seconds left.

Ray Allen (BOS)
15 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.17 3PT%, 100% FT%
23 z-pts (0.65), 0.38 z2PT%, 0.14 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The other great contributor for the Celtics was Ray Allen. Although he only got 4 of his 15 points from free throws (27%), his zFTM compared to his total z-points is .34 to .65 (52%), which shows clutchness from the free throw line. With 5 seconds remaining, Allen went to the line and cooly sank his two free throws for a three-point lead.

GOLDEN STATE @ L.A. LAKERS 94-104

Pau Gasol (LAL)
14 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 100% FT%
22 z-pts (0.51), 0.43 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Pau was the key down the stretch, as he scored 6 points (4 from free throws) in a 8-2 run by the Lakers late in the 4th quarter. Again, we see that while he only got 28% of his points from free throws, in terms of z-points that percentage jumps to 41%.

MINNESOTA @ WASHINGTON 99-108

Mike Miller (MIN)
17 pts, 0.00 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.59), 0.00 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

It was Miller who blew the game open for the Wolves down the stretch. With 4:30 remaining and a tied ballgame, Miller made three back-to-back-to-back treys to fuel an 11-2 run in just 2 minutes.

MEMPHIS @ TORONTO 109-102

Rudy Gay (MEM)
29 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
34 z-pts (1.06), 0.60 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.82 zFT%

Gay exploded in OT, scoring 8 of his team’s 12 points in the period on 4-of-5 shooting.

Zach Randolph (MEM)
24 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
27 z-pts (0.86), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.52 zFT%

With one second remaining in regulation, Randolph scored the tying bucket for the Grizzlies, sending the game to overtime.

MIAMI @ NEW JERSEY 87-84

Quentin Richardson (LAC)
16 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
27 z-pts (0.75), 0.42 z2PT%, 0.79 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

A 3-pointer and two free throws from Richardson sparked an 8-4 run for Miami in the last 1:52 to close out the 4th quarter and win this game.

UTAH @ NEW ORLEANS 98-90

Carlos Boozer (UTA)
16 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.64), 0.54 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

With 3 minutes left and the game tied, the Jazz went on a 7-2 run led by Boozer’s 6 points (a couple of buckets and two free throws) to finally shed the Hornets.

HOUSTON @ MILWAUKEE 127-99

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (MIL)
18 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
3 z-pts (0.04), 0.34 z2PT%, 0.39 zFT%

Plenty of garbage time in the Rocket’s trashing of the Bucks. Despite being the Buck’s leading scorer, z-points show the real impact of Mbah a Moute’s performance. 16 of his 18 points came in a fourth quarter that started with a dismal 100-66 score, a 34-point lead for the Rockets.

DENVER @ CLEVELAND 118-116

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
40 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.76 FT%
53 z-pts (1.92), 0.73 z2PT%, 0.35 z3PT%, 0.81 zFT%

Anthony’s motivation heading into this game was sky-high. Melo scored 11 points in the 4th period and added 6 more in overtime, on a combined 7-of-8 shooting. And to top it all, he ended his night with the game winning shot over LeBron.

LeBron James (CLE)
43 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.11 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
59 z-pts (2.13), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.10 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

To put things in perspective, the last time a player had at least 40 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a game it was 1962 (the player was Oscar Robertson). The King scored 18 points in the 4th and added 6 more in OT, but he missed his share down the stretch, particularly from beyond the arc, as he missed his four 3-point attempts in the extra period (including a potential game-winner at the buzzer).

BOSTON @ L.A. LAKERS 87-86

Lamar Odom (LAL)
13 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
18 z-pts (0.42), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.66 z3PT%, 0.68 zFT%

Odom’s layup with 2:24 remaining cut the Celtics lead to one point, but the Lakers didn’t score again. The team missed Kobe Bryant’s leadership in crunch time.

MILWAUKEE @ DETROIT 91-85

John Salmons (MIL)
19 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
30 z-pts (0.79), 0.27 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.76 zFT%

Salmons’ clutch 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining gave the Bucks a four-point lead (see his z3PT%). Overall, he scored 8 of his 19 points in the 4th quarter to complete an excellent performance in his first game as a Buck.

WASHINGTON @ TORONTO 104-109

Hedo Turkoglu (TOR)
16 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.57), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Turkoglu made the difference down the stretch as he scored 5 points in a decisive 7-0 run by the Raptors late in the 4th.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ NEW YORK 121-118

Kevin Durant (OKL)
36 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.93 FT%
50 z-pts (1.85), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.50 z3PT%, 0.97 zFT%

KD stole the show in T-Mac’s return to action, scoring 36 points in this hotly contested matchup. Durant’s 3-pointer with 6 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game and sent it to overtime, where he added 7 points, including the go-ahead basket with 16 seconds to go.

Nick Collison (OKL)
10 pts, 0.56 2PT%
16 z-pts (0.60), 0.67 z2PT%

Collison helped his team with 4 key points in overtime, including a go-ahead basket with 32 seconds remaining.

Eddie House (NYK)
24 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
38 z-pts (1.38), 0.73 z2PT%, 0.48 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

On the Knicks side, newcomer Eddie House was the best player in crunch time with 12 points in the 4th quarter and 5 more in overtime.

MIAMI @ DALLAS 91-97

Jason Kidd (DAL)
21 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 0.89 FT%
31 z-pts (0.73), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.76 z3PT%, 0.99 zFT%

Fantastic 4th quarter from Kidd, who scored 14 of his 21 points on perfect shooting.

INDIANA @ HOUSTON 125-115

T.J. Ford (IND)
23 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
33 z-pts (0.80), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.72 z3PT%, 0.99 zFT%

T.J. was the top performer in this fast-paced game, with 12 of his 23 points coming in the 4th quarter.

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.

SAN ANTONIO @ CHICAGO 85-92
DENVER @ PORTLAND 97-94

A couple of things that caught my eye from the Nuggets-Blazers game: Carmelo Anthony’s 51 z-points (1,65) vs 41 points, and Greg Oden’s .068 zFT% vs .50 FT% (he missed two critical free throws with 4 seconds remaining on the 4th that would have put Portland ahead).

ESPN highlight’s here.