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.

BOSTON @ L.A. CLIPPERS 90-92

Baron Davis (LAC)
24 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
40 z-pts (1.22), 0.90 z2PT%, 0.47 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Clippers beat the Celtics, courtesy of Mr. Baron Davis buzzer-beater. “I’ve been in that situation before. Every time I get in that situation, I feel like I can make that shot. You’ve just got to prepare your mind for it when you go out there to take that shot”, Davis said.

Rasual Butler (LAC)
8 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%
16 z-pts (0.48), 0.17 z2PT%, 0.80 z3PT%

It was only because of Butler’s game-tying three-pointer that Davis would have the opportunity to win the game in the last possession. Note how his z3PT% is higher than his true 3PT%.

WASHINGTON @ MEMPHIS 111-116

Zach Randolph (MEM)
23 pts, 0.41 2PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (1.08), 0.49 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Randolph sank a couple of free throws to tie the game in regulation, then scored 6 points in overtime to help the Grizzlies overcome the Wizards.

Caron Butler (WAS)
24 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
36 z-pts (1.20), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.52 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Butler made two clutch free throws with 9 seconds left in the 4th quarter to give the Wizards a two-point lead.

ATLANTA @ CLEVELAND 101-106

Anderson Varejao (CLE)
14 pts, 0.71 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.33 FT%
34 z-pts (0.94), 0.77 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.25 zFT%

Varejao’s first career 3-pointer couldn’t have come at a better time. With the game tied at 101 and 17 seconds left, the Brazilian made the trey to deliver a W for LeBron James on the superstar’s birthday. The Kings had the opportunity to tie the game on a Mike Bibby’s 3, but the PG missed the shot (see how his z3PT% drops as a result).

CHARLOTTE @ TORONTO 103-107

Chris Bosh (TOR)
33 pts, 0.55 2PT%, 100% FT%
37 z-pts (1.03), 0.59 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Bosh scored 12 points in the 4th quarter on 3-of-7 shooting and was perfect from the line, making all of his six free throws. He scored four points in the last 1:23 that were key to the Rap’s win.

Andrea Bargnani (TOR)
28 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
34 z-pts (0.96), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.52 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Bargnani made a big trey with 10 seconds left to put the Raptors four points up in the scoreboard.

MIAMI @ NEW ORLEANS 91-95

David West (NOR)
21 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
31 z-pts (0.86), 0.57 z2PT%, 0.94 zFT%

David West was key in this game, putting up 10 points in the last quarter. He scored six in the last minute, including four clutch free throws.

DALLAS @ HOUSTON 94-97

Carl Landry (HOU)
15 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.53), 0.54 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Landry is one of the best players in this surprisingly effective Rockets squad. This time he had nine 4th-quarter points on 4-of-5 shooting.

UTAH @ OKLAHOMA CITY 86-87

Nick Collison (OKL)
11 pts, 0.80 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
31 z-pts (1.02), 0.90 z2PT%, 0.83 zFT%

The Thunder forward scored the go-ahead basket with 1:05 to go, then hit two clutch free throws with 4.5 seconds left to hand the victory to his team. “We’re finding a way to win games,” Collison said. “We’ve been talented for a long time and now we’re finding a way to win even when we don’t play well.”

Deron Williams (UTA)
14 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
27 z-pts (0.88), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Good game down the stretch from Williams, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the last 5 minutes, including an And-1 with 58 seconds left to give Utah the lead. “We played good enough defense the whole game to win the basketball game. Just offensively, we didn’t have everybody going”, he said. Ronnie Price had a chance to win the game for the Jazz but missed his jumper as the clock expired (see how his already terrible 2PT% gets even worse in terms of z2PT%).

NEW YORK @ ATLANTA 112-108

Nate Robinson (NYK)
41 pts, 0.79 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 0.40 FT%
67 z-pts (1.99), 0.79 z2PT%, 0.58 z3PT%, 0.37 zFT%

Amazing performance from the Knicks point guard after 14 games without seeing any playing time. Robinson scored 14 points in the 4th quarter and added 11 more in overtime, making 18 out of 24 shots in the game. What a comeback.

Marvin Williams (ATL)
11 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%
10 z-pts (0.30), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.08 z3PT%

Williams had the opportunity to win the game in the last possession of regulation but his three-point shot was off. See how his z3PT% is much lower than his real 3PT%.

SACRAMENTO @ L.A. LAKERS 108-109

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
39 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.71 3PT%, 0.73 FT%
53 z-pts (1.64), 0.50 z2PT%, 0.77 z3PT%, 0.56 zFT%

“These players — I don’t know how they get themselves into those positions, but they do an unbelievable job of hitting shots that are remarkable shots, marvelous shots. He’s right there with Michael in that kind of breath you look at.” That’s Phil Jackson praising Kobe, after (once again) Bryant hit the game-winner at the buzzer. Unreal. Kobe went 4-of-6 in the 4th for 11 points in the last period, capped by his amazing buzzer-beater. Pau Gasol gets credit for the assist in the clutch play (4 assists vs. 12.15 z-assists).

CHARLOTTE @ MIAMI 107-97

Stephen Jackson (CHA)
35 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.57 3PT%, 100% FT%
41 z-pts (1.06), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Jackson had 13 points in the 4th quarter, going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The Bobcats shot extremely well in the last quarter and overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Heat.

D.J. Augustin (CHA)
13 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%
20 z-pts (0.53), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.86 z3PT%

Augustin was the perfect backup for Jackson, scoring 11 points in the 4th quarter, including four 3s on perfect shooting.

HOUSTON @ NEW ORLEANS 95-99

Chris Paul (NOR)
28 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.90 FT%
41 z-pts (1.11), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.45 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

Paul scored 10 in the 4th, including 5 points in the last 1:21, to help the Hornets come back from a seven-point deficit in the last minutes of the game.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ MILWAUKEE 97-103

Luke Ridnour (MIL)
12 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.74), 0.74 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

With 1:59 left in overtime, Scott Skiles put Ridnour in the game and the decision paid off. The Bucks PG made two key baskets to help Milwaukee win this game.

Russell Westbrook (OKL)
17 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.62 FT%
28 z-pts (0.91), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.59 zFT%

Westbrook led the charge for the Thunder in the OT, scoring 7 points that at the end wouldn’t be enough to beat Milwaukee.

NBA Photos

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

PORTLAND @ MIAMI 102-95

Brandon Roy (POR)
28 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
34 z-pts (0.93), 0.74 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Roy had an amazing 4th quarter, scoring 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting in the last 4:28, a couple of threes included. “I know for a fact, the last 3 he hit, D-Wade was in his face. I’m talking about centimeters away from the ball and it just dropped. It was a tough shot. Great shot. Not too much you can do about those”, said Heat’s forward Michael Beasley.

CHARLOTTE @ NEW YORK 94-98

Danilo Gallinari (NYK)
21 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.29 3PT%, 0.70 FT%
34 z-pts (0.94), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.50 z3PT%, 0.55 zFT%

Nine 4th-quarter points from the Italian, including a couple of treys, were key to the Knicks victory.

SACRAMENTO @ CHICAGO 102-98

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
23 pts, 0.39 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
61 z-pts (1.00), 0.53 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.63 zFT%

Evans scored 9 of his team’s last 11 points to complete one of the biggest comebacks in NBA history.

PHILADELPHIA @ WASHINGTON 98-105

Gilbert Arenas (WAS)
31 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (0.91), 0.53 z2PT%, 0.40 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Arenas went 5-of-11 in the 4th quarter, scoring 12 points and, this time, making his free throws at the end of the game.

Caron Butler (WAS)
14 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.56), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Butler scored 10 points in the last quarter to help the Wizards win the game down the stretch.

INDIANA @ BOSTON 94-103

Paul Pierce (BOS)
21 pts, 0.23 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.92 FT%
31 z-pts (0.72), 0.30 z2PT%, 0.57 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

After missing his first 10 shots, Pierce scored 14 of his 21 points in the 4th quarter, including seven consecutive points to give the Celtics the lead in the game for good. “That’s the difference between the average player and the great player. The average player stops shooting and turns it into a bad game. The great players are thinking after every miss, the next one has to go in”, Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said. Pierce went 3-of-5 from 2PT, 1-of-2 from 3PT and hit all of his 5 free throws in the last quarter.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ L.A. LAKERS 108-111

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
40 pts, 0.61 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.86 FT%
46 z-pts (1.29), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

This game highlights the importance of having players that can go to the line and hit their free throws in crunch time. Kobe had 11 points in the 4th quarter, 9 of which came from the line on 9-of-10 shooting. His last two free throws were especially clutch, giving the Lakers a 109-106 lead with 19 seconds remaining.

Derek Fisher (LAL)
15 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
22 z-pts (0.62), 0.22 z2PT%, 0.62 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Fisher’s only two points in the 4th quarter were clutch. The Lakers veteran PG sank two free throws to give the Lakers a three-point lead with 14 seconds left.

MINNESOTA @ NEW JERSEY 103-99

Corey Brewer (MIN)
17 pts, 0.70 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
26 z-pts (0.75), 0.79 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Brewer gave the Timberwolves a 99-96 lead with 39 seconds left, then hit two free throws to make it 101-97 Wolves with 24 seconds remaining. His higher z2PT% and zFT% reflect the clutchness of his last shots.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ PHOENIX 117-113

Kevin Durant (OKL)
38 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.73 FT%
49 z-pts (1.26), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.68 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

Durant scored 11 of his 38 points in the 4th, including a jumper that put the Thunder four points ahead of the Suns with 14 seconds left in the game.

HOUSTON @ NEW JERSEY 98-93

Aaron Brooks (HOU)
17 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
29 z-pts (0.86), 0.44 z2PT%, 0.62 z3PT%, 0.85 zFT%

Brooks scored six consecutive points in the last minute of the game, hitting all of his four free throws to give Houston the win against the Nets.

L.A. LAKERS @ SACRAMENTO 112-103

Pau Gasol (LAL)
24 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.60 FT%
31 z-pts (0.89), 0.55 z2PT%, 0.31 zFT%

Gasol made a tip shot with .04 seconds left to send the game to a second overtime. Then Kobe took over, hitting two consecutive three-pointers to close the game out (almost half of Kobe’s z-points come from 3PT range). Gasol’s game was, however, kind of shaky down the stretch. He missed a couple of FT at the end of regulation that would have won the game for the Lakers (see how low his zFT% is compared to his real FT%). Overall, Pau went 3-of-7 in field goals and 3-of-6 from the line in the 4th quarter and two overtimes combined.

NBA Photos