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

TORONTO @ MIAMI 94-97

Carlos Arroyo (DAL)
12 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 100% FT%
35 z-pts (0.89), 0.72 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Carlos Arroyo was fantastic in the clutch, scoring 8 points in the last minute of the game.

PHOENIX @ CHICAGO 111-105

Steve Nash (PHO)
22 pts, 0.35 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
31 z-pts (0.94), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.88 zFT%

Nash is warming up for the playoffs. Steve lighted up the Bulls with 7 points and 2 assists in the last 2 minutes of the game.

MILWAUKEE @ CLEVELAND 98-101

LeBron James (CLE)
23 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.70 FT%
36 z-pts (1.17), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

LeBron scored 9 of his 23 points in the 4th quarter, including the go-ahead basket with 17 seconds to go.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ BOSTON 109-104

Jeff Green (OKL)
17 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%
25 z-pts (0.69), 0.36 z2PT%, 0.91 z3PT%

Two back-to-back three-pointers from Green in the last two minutes were key to the Thunder beating the Celtics in Boston. Watch out for this team in the playoffs!

DALLAS @ MEMPHIS 106-102

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
28 pts, 0.35 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
59 z-pts (1.88), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.68 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Great performance by the German, who scored 13 points in the 4th (8 in the last two minutes) and added 6 more in overtime.

NBA Photos

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

PHOENIX @ SAN ANTONIO 110-113

Manu Ginobili (SAS)
21 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
35 z-pts (1.01), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Ginobili scored 9 of his 21 points in the 4th, including four clutch free throws in the las 1:16.

MILWAUKEE @ ATLANTA 102-106

Joe Johnson (ATL)
24 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 100% FT%
39 z-pts (1.29), 0.34 z2PT%, 0.52 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Johnson had a terrible 4th quarter, going 2 for 9 in the period, but still managed to score the tying basket with 32 seconds left. He later missed a potential game-winning shot though. Then in overtime he made up for it by scoring 9 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Jamal Crawford (ATL)
14 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.89 FT%
24 z-pts (0.79), 0.15 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.99 zFT%

Crawford made three clutch free throws at the end of overtime to help the Hawks win this game.

DALLAS @ CHARLOTTE 89-84

Jason Terry (DAL)
20 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.68), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.36 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Terry’s 13 points in the 4th were key as the Mavs pulled away from the Bobcats late in the game.

MEMPHIS @ NEW ORLEANS 104-100

Mike Conley (MEM)
26 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.60 FT%
34 z-pts (1.00), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.22 z3PT%, 0.33 zFT%

Conley scored 9 points in the 4th, including a basket that made it 98-95 Grizzlies with 26 seconds left. But he missed two free throws with 10 seconds remaining that could have been critical (his team was up 2). Note how his zFT% went down as a result.

Zach Randolph (MEM)
23 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
31 z-pts (0.90), 0.38 z2PT%, 0.86 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Randolph scored another 9 points in the 4th quarter, including a key three-pointer with 1:20 remaining that gave Memphis the lead.

MINNESOTA @ DALLAS 109-112

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
22 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 100% FT%
29 z-pts (0.74), 0.48 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Nowitzki’s free throws at the end helped the Mavs seal the win. He scored 8 in the 4th.

SACRAMENTO @ HOUSTON 84-81

Carl Landry (SAC)
22 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 100% FT%
29 z-pts (0.78), 0.50 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Two clutch free throws by Landry with 4 seconds remaining made it 84-81 Kings.

L.A. LAKERS @ MIAMI 111-114

Quentin Richardson (MIA)
25 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.64 3PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (1.20), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.81 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Richardson only scored 3 points in the 4th quarter but they were clutch: a 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining for a Miami two-point lead.

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
39 pts, 0.62 2PT%, 0.29 3PT%, 0.58 FT%
50 z-pts (1.81), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.23 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Of course, after Richardson’s trey Kobe responded with a jumper to tie the game and send it to overtime. Kobe scored 10 points in the 4th quarter (7 in the last 3 minutes) and added 6 more in the extra period.

UTAH @ PHOENIX 116-108

Mehmet Okur (UTA)
24 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
34 z-pts (0.92), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.73 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Okur, who was hot from beyond the arc down the stretch, hit a 3 with 58 seconds left to give Utah a four-point lead.

SACRAMENTO @ DALLAS 100-108

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
31 pts, 0.46 2PT%, 100% FT%
38 z-pts (0.87), 0.47 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Nowitzki was great in the 4th quarter, scoring 15 of his 31 points on 5-of-7 in the period. His four free throws in the last minute were key.

ATLANTA @ MIAMI 94-100

Michael Beasley (MIA)
22 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%
38 z-pts (1.00), 0.82 z2PT%, 0.67 z3PT%

14 of Beasley’s 22 points came in the 4th quarter. With the Heat trailing by one late in the 4th, Beasley took over and outscored the Hawks 7-0 in less than a minute to grab the W for his team.

NBA Photos

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.

NEW ORLEANS @ PHILADELPHIA 92-96

Samuel Dalembert (PHI)
6 pts, 0.60 2PT%
14 z-pts (0.41), 0.86 z2PT%

With 25 seconds remaining Andre Iguodala assisted Dalembert, who scored the go-ahead basket for the Sixers. Iguodala gets credit for the clutch assist (8 assists vs. 13.83 z-assists).

Chris Paul (NOR)
13 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.61), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.87 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Paul scored 5 of the last 7 points of his team in the last 3:14, but that wasn’t enough to keep up with Philly at the end of the game.

Peja Stojakovic (NOR)
9 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.14 3PT%, 100% FT%
6 z-pts (0.18), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.05 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Stojakovic missed a go-ahead 3 with 17 seconds to go (see how his already awful 3PT% -1 of 7- gets even more awful in terms of z3PT%, clearly showing that he missed from beyond the arc down the stretch). “It’s my shot,” Stojakovic said. “I thought I had a good look, but Iguodala came flying at me.”

ATLANTA @ BOSTON 102-96

Jamal Crawford (ATL)
8 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
19 z-pts (0.50), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Crawford was on fire late in the 4th, scoring the last 6 points of his team to lead Atlanta to another victory over the Celtics.

Glen Davis (BOS)
13 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
19 z-pts (0.51), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Big Baby scored 9 of his 13 points in the 4th, including Boston’s last three points of the game. But the Celtics didn’t score in the last 2:33.

MILWAUKEE @ PHOENIX 101-105

Steve Nash (PHO)
30 pts, 0.71 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
40 z-pts (0.94), 0.84 z2PT%, 0.45 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Steve Nash was perfect in the 4th, making his four shots (all of them from 2-point range) and hitting the two free throws that he attempted. See how his z2PT% shows his clutchness.

HOUSTON @ CHARLOTTE 94-102

Stephen Jackson (CHA)
43 pts, 0.71 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 0.91 FT%
53 z-pts (1.27), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.69 z3PT%, 0.92 zFT%

S-Jax was all over the place in this game, including crunch time. He scored 16 of his 43 points in the 4th quarter on 6-of-8 shooting. As Bobcats coach Larry Brown said, “He’s about as bright as anybody I’ve ever coached. He’s in that difficult category, but he loves his teammates and he loves to play. And he’s made everybody better.” Sounds pretty good.

PHOENIX @ INDIANA 114-122

Danny Granger (IND)
33 pts, 0.46 2PT%, 0.56 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
44 z-pts (1.03), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.63 z3PT%, 0.81 zFT%

Granger was key for the Pacers, hitting 4-of-5 for 11 points out of his 33 points in the 4th quarter.

Steve Nash (PHO)
20 pts, 0.70 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.70), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Great 4th quarter by Nash, who scored 14 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter alone on an astounding 6-of-7 shooting.

NEW YORK @ PHILADELPHIA 93-92

David Lee (NYK)
24 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
38 z-pts (1.27), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.66 zFT%

Lee was clutch against the Sixers as he made the go-ahead basket twice in the last minute. The last one won the game for the Knicks with 14 seconds remaining.

Marreese Speights (PHI)
10 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
24 z-pts (0.80), 100% z2PT%, 0.50 zFT%

Speights scored all of his 10 points in the last 8:40 (his only playing time in the game).

BOSTON @ NEW JERSEY 111-87

Devin Harris (NJN)
15 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
6 z-pts (0.04), 0.16 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.63 zFT%

The Celtics crushed the Nets, as we can see for the low z-points scored (Pierce, who was Boston’s leading scorer, only had 0.23 z-points). Harris scored 15 points but they are good for only 6 adjusted z-points (0.04 z-points), as he got most of them in garbage time.

SAN ANTONIO @ OKLAHOMA CITY 109-108

Richard Jefferson (SAS)
13 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
24 z-pts (0.81), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.49 z3PT%, 0.50 zFT%

With 9 seconds left in overtime, Jefferson scored the winning basket for the Spurs. The merit of the play goes -in no small part- to Ginobili, who dived for a loose ball in the last possession, making possible Jefferson’s last shot.

L.A. LAKERS @ DALLAS 100-95

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
10 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
20 z-pts (0.55), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Playing through injuries, Kobe somehow found his groove to deliver in crunch time- as usual. Bryant made the go-ahead jumper with 28 seconds left to give the Lakers a hard-fought win. “In the second half I said, ‘Are you OK?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, I’m good now,’” teammate Ron Artest said. “But Dallas didn’t know that, so they played him one-on-one and he hit that big shot.” Watch it here.

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
30 pts, 0.48 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
40 z-pts (1.12), 0.50 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Nowitzki was also amazing down the stretch, scoring half of his 30 points in the 4th quarter. Dirk tied the game to 95 with 42 seconds left, right before Kobe’s winning J.

MINNESOTA @ HOUSTON 114-120

Aaron Brooks (HOU)
43 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
51 z-pts (1.85), 0.19 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Brooks scored 27 of his 43 points in the 4th quarter and three overtimes combined. 14 in the 4th, and 5 pts, 2 pts and 6 pts in each of the OTs.

Wayne Ellington (MIN)
17 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%
26 z-pts (0.94), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.94 z3PT%

Ellington scored 11 of his 17 points in the extra periods. His trey with 8 seconds left in the second OT tied the game and forced the third overtime.

CLEVELAND @ UTAH 96-97

Sundiata Gaines (UTA)
9 pts, 100% 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
28 z-pts (0.90), 100% z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.64 zFT%

The rookie, who is on a 10-day contract, hit a game-winning 3 at the buzzer to beat LeBron and the Cavs. “I knew if I caught the ball I was going for the win. Once it left my hand it felt good. Just to beat Cleveland, this was a big game”, Gaines said.

LeBron James (CLE)
36 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
46 z-pts (1.46), 0.64 z2PT%, 0.84 z3PT%, 0.67 zFT%

Lebron did everything in his hand to win this ballgame. James scored 20 of his 36 points in the 4th quarter, including 9 points in the last 1:15. Quite a performance by the King.

PHOENIX @ ATLANTA 101-102

Jamal Crawford (ATL)
21 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.29 3PT%, 100% FT%
37 z-pts (1.18), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Crawford hit a 3 at the buzzer to beat the Suns. He had 9 points in the 4th quarter on 3-of-5 shooting.

Amare Stoudemire (PHO)
28 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.71 FT%
36 z-pts (1.15), 0.49 z2PT%, 0.61 zFT%

Stoudemire scored 11 of his 28 points in the 4th quarter. With 6 seconds left, he went to the line to shoot two free throws, missed one and made one, putting the Suns up two. Had he made both FTs, Crawford’s 3 at the buzzer wouldn’t have beat the Suns. See how his zFT% is lower than his FT%.

WASHINGTON @ CHICAGO 119-121

Derrick Rose (CHI)
37 pts, 0.48 2PT%, 0.71 FT%
51 z-pts (2.08), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.65 zFT%

Rose scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, including a bucket to tie the game with 26 seconds left, but he later missed a shot at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime. In the second overtime of the game, and with 5 seconds remaining, Rose hit the winning shot to finally beat the Wizards.

NEW ORLEANS @ DETROIT 104-110

Rodney Stuckey (DET)
8 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
19 z-pts (0.50), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Stuckey was key in the Pistons win over the Hornets, scoring 8 of Detroit’s 14 points in overtime.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ DALLAS 98-99

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
32 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.93 FT%
47 z-pts (1.46), 0.63 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Nowitzki and teammate Jason Terry led the charge in the 4th quarter for the Mavs. Dirk scored 9 points down the stretch for Terry’s 7, including a jumper to give Dallas a 3 point lead with 6 seconds remaining. With 4 seconds left and the Mavs up by one, Terry missed a couple of free throws, giving the Thunder the chance to win the game in the final seconds (see Terry’s zFT% compared to his FT%).

PHOENIX @ CHARLOTTE 99-125

Leandro Barbosa (PHO)
17 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
0.43 z-pts (0.00), 0.01 z2PT%, 0.43 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Bobcats trashed the Suns: 43-22 at the end of the first quarter and 74-47 at the half. Barbosa scored 17 points in this game, but since z-points adjust for garbage time he only gets 0.43 adjusted z-points.

SAN ANTONIO @ MEMPHIS 86-92

Zach Randolph (MEM)
23 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.58 FT%
36 z-pts (0.87), 0.32 z2PT%, 0.87 zFT%

11 of Randolph’s 23 points came in the 4th quarter. The Grizzlies forward was clutch at the end of the game, especially from the free throw line, as he sunk 5-of-6 free throws in the last minute to help Memphis escape with the win.

Roger Mason (SAS)
17 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%
27 z-pts (0.66), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.33 z3PT%

The Spurs started the 4th quarter trailing the Grizzlies by 12 points. Then Mason fueled a run that put San Antonio one point behind with 41 seconds remaining. Overall, Mason scored 10 of his 17 points in the 4th, but he also missed a crucial three-pointer to tie the game with 18 seconds left (see how his z3PT% is lower, reflecting the fact that he missed from beyond the arc in the clutch).

NBA Photos

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

CHICAGO @ CHARLOTTE 108-113

Stephen Jackson (CHA)
25 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
31 z-pts (0.86), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

With 17 seconds left, Jackson hit a couple of free throws to give the Bobcats a three-point lead and seal the game.

DETROIT @ DALLAS 93-98

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
22 pts, 0.45 2PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (0.83), 0.44 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Facing a similar situation, Nowitzki hit two clutch free throws to put Dallas three points ahead with 10 seconds remaining.

MEMPHIS @ PORTLAND 109-105

O.J. Mayo (MEM)
27 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
47 z-pts (1.35), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.62 z3PT%, 0.65 zFT%

Mayo scored 10 of his 27 points in the 4th quarter, including a layup to tie the game with 30 seconds left and two points more from the line to help Memphis beat the Blazers in Portland.

PHOENIX @ SACRAMENTO 113-109

Amare Stoudemire (PHO)
24 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (0.89), 0.56 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Stoudemire scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, four of them in the last 1:09, as the Suns pulled away from the Kings down the stretch.

Beno Udrih (SAC)
8 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
19 z-pts (0.50), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Udrih scored all of his 8 points in the 4th quarter. He went 3-of-5 and added a couple of free throws.

BOSTON @ MIAMI 112-106

Rajon Rondo (BOS)
25 pts, 0.90 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
36 z-pts (1.25), 0.89 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.88 zFT%

Rondo beat the buzzer to tie the game in regulation thanks to a perfectly executed play with just .6 seconds left, then he scored 4 points in the last minute of overtime to seal the game.

Ray Allen (BOS)
22 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
27 z-pts (0.93), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.90 z3PT%, 0.74 zFT%

Allen wasn’t bad himself. He scored 9 points in the 4th quarter without missing a shot or free throw, then added 4 more at the end of overtime to help the Celtics win this game.

Dwyane Wade (MIA)
44 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.63 3PT%, 0.69 FT%
58 z-pts (1.98), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.32 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Wade was having a hard time in the 4th quarter (0-of-7), until the last 5 seconds of regulation: first he hit a couple of free throws to tie the game, then he stripped the ball from Ray Allen at midcourt and finished with a dunk that gave Miami a 101-99 lead with just .6 seconds to go. He added 5 points in OT but that wasn’t enough to overcome Rondo & Co.

NEW ORLEANS @ OKLAHOMA CITY 97-92

Chris Paul (NOR)
14 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
25 z-pts (0.67), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Paul stole the ball and then made a key layup with 11 seconds left to give the Hornets a 95-92 lead.

CHARLOTTE @ NEW YORK 93-97

Danilo Gallinari (NYK)
17 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.45 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.62), 0.18 z2PT%, 0.57 z3PT%

Gallinari hit back-to-back treys in a 30-second span down the stretch to give the Knicks a three-point lead with 44 seconds left. His higher z3PT% reflects the clutchness of these shots.

TORONTO @ PHILADELPHIA 108-106

Chris Bosh (TOR)
29 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
50 z-pts (1.58), 0.83 z2PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Bosh scored 8 of his 29 points in the 4th, including an And-1 for a two-point lead with 8 seconds left.

Lou Williams (PHI)
23 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
28 z-pts (0.88), 0.86 z2PT%, 0.29 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Williams scored 9 points in a 4th quarter in which he missed only one shot. Unfortunately that was a potentially game-winning 3 at the buzzer – that he missed despite getting a decent look (note how his z3PT% goes down as a result).

NEW JERSEY @ NEW ORLEANS 99-103

Chris Paul (NOR)
11 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.40 FT%
35 z-pts (0.98), 0.81 z2PT%, 0.50 z3PT%, 0.81 zFT%

Paul’s And-1 with 7 seconds left gave the Hornets a two-point lead and eventually the game. “Whoever was on me, I just knew I was going to try to drive, get contact and either get a good shot up or try to draw a foul,” Paul said. “Pretty much put your head down and try to get to the rim.”

Courtney Lee (NJN)
28 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.71 3PT%, 100% FT%
37 z-pts (1.04), 0.43 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Courtney Lee was clutch from the free throw line down the stretch. We can see that because most of his z-points come from free throws (.64 out of 1.04, which is much higher than the % of his real points that came from FTs: 7 out of 28). Lee scored 5 points from the line in the last 23 seconds, the last two to give the Nets the lead with 11 seconds left.

UTAH @ MEMPHIS 89-91

O.J. Mayo (MEM)
14 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
33 z-pts (1.00), 0.83 z2PT%, 0.18 z3PT%, 0.57 zFT%

Mayo hit the game-winning jumper with 5 seconds left in the game. “The play was for O.J. to make whatever play it was, whether he got the shot, got to the basket or passed it,” Memphis coach Hollins said. “He made a big shot himself.”

Ronnie Brewer (UTA)
10 pts, 0.56 2PT%
17 z-pts (0.53), 0.63 z2PT%

Ronnie Brewer’s dunk tied the game with 23 seconds remaining.

CHICAGO @ MILWAUKEE 93-96

Michael Redd (MIL)
24 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
32 z-pts (0.89), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.37 z3PT%, 0.70 zFT%

Redd scored 14 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter, including a jumper for a five-point lead with 1:07 to go.

MIAMI @ PHOENIX 109-105

Jermaine O’Neal (MIA)
13 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
28 z-pts (0.84), 0.59 z2PT%, 0.90 zFT%

The veteran Heat forward scored the go-ahead basket with 29 seconds left, then hit a couple of free throws to seal the game.

MEMPHIS @ CHARLOTTE 87-89

Gerald Wallace (CHA)
18 pts, 0.61 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
32 z-pts (0.99), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.50 zFT%

His tip shot at the buzzer gave the Bobcats the W against the Grizzlies.

DENVER @ SACRAMENTO 100-102

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
27 pts, 0.69 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
46 z-pts (1.63), 0.85 z2PT%, 0.60 z3PT%, 0.91 zFT%

Another game winner for Evans. The rookie, who had 10 points in the 4th quarter, hit a jumper with 11 seconds remaining to put the Kings ahead. “Coach [Paul Westphal] gave me the opportunity and that’s what I wanted to do, I wanted to be the guy with the ball in my hands,” said Evans. “I had worked on that move a lot. I stopped in the lane, pump faked, and was fading away. I had a good look at the basket. I thought it was going in.”

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-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.

MEMPHIS @ SACRAMENTO 116-127

Zach Randolph (MEM)
30 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.86 FT%
40 z-pts (1.38), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.86 zFT%

Zach Randolph made a shot to put Memphis ahead with 6 seconds left in regulation.

Beno Udrih (SAC)
16 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%
24 z-pts (0.83), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.19 z3PT%

Beno Udrih tied the game with a layup with just one second remaining in regulation, but he followed it up with a missed three-pointer that would have won the game for the Kings. See how his z3PT% goes down because of that last shot.

BOSTON @ PHILADELPHIA 105-74

Lester Hudson (BOS)
6pts
0 z-pts (0.00)

Hudson got his points in garbage time and that shows in his zero z-points.

Willie Green (PHI)
7 pts
0 z-pts (0.00)

Same for Green, getting his numbers with the game already decided for the Celtics.

L.A. LAKERS @ OKLAHOMA CITY 101-98

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
31 pts, 0.42 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.86 FT%
42 z-pts (1.33), 0.45 z2PT%, 0.07 z3PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Kobe delivered in this game, although he didn’t shoot particularly well down the stretch. He made some big buckets but also missed a few of them. At the end that was enough to get the Lakers the W.

Kevin Durant (OKC)
28 pts, 0.62 2PT%
19 z-pts (0.59), 0.35 z2PT%

The flip side of Kobe was Kevin Durant, who had a terrible game in the clutch. He missed shots and had turnovers that made it really tough for the Thunder to win this game.

ATLANTA @ PORTLAND 97-91

Joe Johnson (ATL)
19 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.2 3PT%
27 z-pts (0.74), 0.64z2PT%, 0.43z3PT%

Not a superb game for Johnson overall but he scored well in the 4th, putting up seven points that helped Atlanta win the game.

UTAH @ DALLAS 85-96

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
40 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.94 FT%
54 z-pts (1.28), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.52 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

Well, you already know about it. Dirk Nowitzki exploded for 29 points in the 4th quarter, setting up a new franchise record for most points in a single quarter (Mark Aguirre had the previous record since 1984, with 24 points in one quarter).