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.

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

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).