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

SAN ANTONIO @ DETROIT 101-109

Manu Ginobili (SAS)
21 pts, 0.22 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 0.89 FT%
37 z-pts (1.04), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.53 z3PT%, 0.86 zFT%

Despite losing the game, Manu Ginobili was sensational at the end of the 4th, scoring 11 points in the last 2:19 of regulation (including the tying basket that sent the game to OT). However, he couldn’t stay hot in the extra period, where he only scored one point.

ATLANTA @ GOLDEN STATE 104-108

Monta Ellis (GSW)
26 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
38 z-pts (1.00), 0.52 z2PT%, 0.36 z3PT%, 0.82 zFT%

With the game tied at 101 and 2:43 remaining, the Warriors made a 7-3 run to top the Hawks. Monta Ellis led that run with 5 of the Warrior’s last 7 points.

UTAH @ PORTLAND 93-89

Carlos Boozer (UTA)
22 pts, 0.47 2PT%, 0.44 FT%
37 z-pts (0.89), 0.57 z2PT%, 0.64 zFT%

Boozer’s shot at the buzzer tied the game. He scored 6 points in the 4th quarter and 3 more in overtime.

Kyrylo Fesenko (UTA)
8 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.40 FT%
13 z-pts (0.32), 0.87 z2PT%, 0.28 zFT%

Fesenko scored 4 points in overtime, helping the Jazz take the lead early in the extra period.

PHOENIX @ OKLAHOMA CITY 104-102

Jason Richardson (PHO)
20 pts, 0.46 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
44 z-pts (1.25), 0.74 z2PT%, 0.49 z3PT%, 0.93 zFT%

Richarson beat the Thunder with this nice floater at the buzzer. See how his z2PT% is higher than his normal 2PT%, reflecting clutchness from two-point range.

L.A. LAKERS @ MEMPHIS 99-98

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
32 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.60 FT%
57 z-pts (1.67), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.93 z3PT%, 0.51 zFT%

Kobe, Kobe, Kobe! Another super clutch shot by the Lakers superstar. Kobe beat the Grizzlies with a 3-pointer with 4 seconds left in regulation. Just before that, he had tied the game with another trey.

PHILADELPHIA @ GOLDEN STATE 110-102

Lou Williams (PHI)
26 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.62 3PT%, 100% FT%
37 z-pts (0.67), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

When the Warriors cut the Sixers lead to 3 with just 3:55 remaining, Williams responded with 6 straight points to close the game out.

DETROIT @ L.A. CLIPPERS 91-97

Rasual Butler (LAC)
16 pts, 0.29 2PT%, 0.30 3PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (1.01), 0.24 z2PT%, 0.52 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Butler made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, then made two free throws to make it 91-95 Clippers with 10 seconds remaining.

Richard Hamilton (DET)
21 pts, 0.38 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 0.22 FT%
30 z-pts (0.94), 0.24 z2PT%, 0.78 z3PT%, 0.31 zFT%

Hamilton made three consecutive 3-pointers down the stretch, the last one to give the Pistons the lead with 44 seconds left.

DALLAS @ ATLANTA 111-103

Jason Kidd (DAL)
19 pts, 0.37 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
36 z-pts (0.99), 0.13 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 0.50 zFT%

In just 2 minutes of play at the end of regulation, Kidd made three consecutive three pointers to keep the Mavs in the game.

Mike Bibby (ATL)
16 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%
24 z-pts (0.66), 0.29 z2PT%, 0.61 z3PT%

Bibby responded to Kidd 3s with his own couple 3-pointers during the same stretch.

NEW YORK @ WASHINGTON 118-116

Al Harrington (NYK)
37 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.62 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
49 z-pts (1.68), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.55 z3PT%, 0.61 zFT%

Terrific 4th quarter by Harrington, who scored 17 points in the period. He also hit a couple of clutch free throws at the end of overtime.

David Lee (NYK)
25 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
43 z-pts (1.46), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.81 zFT%

Lee scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the 4th quarter, then added 4 more in overtime, including the winning layup.

CLEVELAND @ TORONTO 126-118

LeBron James (CLE)
36 pts, 0.70 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.94 FT%
48 z-pts (1.48), 0.73 z2PT%, 0.13 z3PT%, 0.97 zFT%

LeBron was great in the 4th, scoring 12 points and tying the game in two consecutive plays at the end of regulation.

Hedo Turkoglu (TOR)
18 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%
28 z-pts (0.88), 0.72 z2PT%, 0.27 z3PT%

Turkoglu scored 9 of his 18 points in the 4th, 5 of which came in a key 5-0 run by the Raptors down the stretch.

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-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.

MEMPHIS @ L.A. CLIPPERS 88-98

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

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

HOUSTON @ OKLAHOMA CITY 100-91

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

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

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

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

PHILADELPHIA @ DALLAS 102-104

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

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

CHICAGO @ MILWAUKEE 97-99

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

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

WASHINGTON @ TORONTO 106-102

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

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

PHOENIX @ NEW YORK 99-126

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

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

MILWAUKEE @ WASHINGTON 102-104

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

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

TORONTO @ WASHINGTON 109-107

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEW YORK @ ATLANTA 114-107

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

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

MIAMI @ L.A. LAKERS 107-108

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

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

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

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

PHILADELPHIA @ CHARLOTTE 105-106

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

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

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

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

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

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

TORONTO @ CHICAGO 110-78

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

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

HOUSTON @ PORTLAND 89-90

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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