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 @ 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.

MINNESOTA @ UTAH 110-108

Jonny Flynn (MIN)
28 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
45 z-pts (1.34), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.60 zFT%

Clearly, from looking at the box score we can tell that Flynn was the man of the game. The disparity between his adjusted z-points and normal points (44.67 vs. 28) tells us that he did something in the clutch. Then, by looking at his z-point % we see a disparity in 2PT shots (0.776 vs. 0.538) and also see that most of his z-points come from 2PT range (0.95 out of 1.34). And since the final score is 110-108 Wolves, we can infer that Flynn must have scored the go-ahead basket with the game tied at 108. Which is, in fact, what happened. But we can also see a disparity in 3PT% (0.28 vs. 0.67), indicating that Flynn must have missed from beyond the arc in crunch time (he did, missing two crucial three-pointers in the last 1:45).

NEW YORK @ CHARLOTTE 87-94

Raymond Felton (CHA)
18 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.74), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Following the same logic, we can figure out that Felton was clutch in this game from 2PT range. 0.64 out of his 0.74 z-points came from that distance, and his z2PT% is also higher than his 2PT% (0.66 vs. 0.54). Felton scored back-to-back baskets in a 35-second span at the end of the 4th, then hit a couple of free throws with 17 seconds remaining to kill the game.

SACRAMENTO @ PORTLAND 88-95

LaMarcus Aldridge (POR)
25 pts, 0.48 2PT%, 100% FT%
33 z-pts (0.88), 0.56 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Aldridge scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half, including 7 in the 4th quarter to help the Blazers pull away from the Kings. Worth noting that Brandon Roy also scored 25 points, but in terms of z-points he only got 22 for Aldridge’s 33, showing the difference in the overall contribution to the win (in terms of scoring, that is).

ORLANDO @ MIAMI 86-104

J.J. Redick (ORL)
13 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
3 z-pts (0.03), 0.91 z2PT%, 0.02 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Heat routed the Magic as they went on fire right from the beginning, outscoring Orlando 33-18 in the first quarter. Redick scored 11 of his 13 points in a 4th quarter that was all garbage time.

PHOENIX @ PORTLAND 102-105

Jerryd Bayless (POR)
29 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
42 z-pts (1.03), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

Blayless had a spectacular performance with 16 points in the 4th quarter, teaming up with Brandon Roy in crunch time to deliver a win for the Blazers. “Me and Bran talk about what I can do,” Bayless said. “He can be the LeBron [James] and I can be Mo [Williams], a guy that can make plays.”

PHILADELPHIA @ BOSTON 98-97

Elton Brand (PHI)
23 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.90 FT%
33 z-pts (1.06), 0.80 z2PT%, 0.92 zFT%

Brand’s tip shot with 7 seconds remaining ended the Celts’ winning streak at 11.

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
28 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
45 z-pts (1.34), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.60 zFT%

Iguodala scored 7 points in the last 4:33, including a nice And-1 to put the Sixers ahead with 1:43 to go.

Marreese Speights (PHI)
17 pts, 0.37 2PT%, 0.62 FT%
23 z-pts (0.75), 0.20 z2PT%, 0.82 zFT%

Speights put up 9 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter, including two clutch free throws with 29 seconds left. However, he was pretty inefficient from the field, going 3-of-8 in the 4th (note how his z2P% is lower than his real 2PT%). On the other hand, his zFT% is higher than his FT%, reflecting the fact that he shot efficiently from the line when it mattered.

Ray Allen (BOS)
17 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.37 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.74), 0.38 z2PT%, 0.35 z3PT%

Allen had 7 points in the last 4:11 of the game, but he missed a potential winning-shot at the buzzer (which explains his lower z2PT%). To be fair, it was Pierce who was given the opportunity to win the game in the last possession of the game, and after he missed Allen got the rebound with just enough time to throw a desperate shot that didn’t go in.

Kevin Garnett (BOS)
21 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.79), 0.17 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Garnett shot awfully in the 4th, missing all of his four field goals (hence his 0.17 z2PT%). However, he went 4-of-4 from the free throw line, two of them to put the Celtics ahead with 23 seconds remaining.

Paul Pierce (BOS)
9 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%
6 z-pts (0.20), 0.11 z2PT%, 0.43 z3PT%

Bad game from Pierce, who went scoreless in the last quarter on 0-of-3 shooting, including a missed jumper that could have won the game for Boston (which explains his terrible 0.11 z2PT%).

MILWAUKEE @ CLEVELAND 82-85

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
18 pts, 0.31 2PT%, 0.12 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.42), 0.33 z2PT%, 0.06 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

The Bucks rallied with a 14-2 run in the last 6:33, enough to give them a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer in the last possession. But Jennings, who has often been lethal in clutch situations, threw an airball from beyond the arc, ending Milwaukee’s hopes for a win in Cleveland. “Our last shot was a terrible shot,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “We needed a much better shot than that”.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ NEW YORK 91-95

Chris Duhon (NYK)
17 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
27 z-pts (0.75), 100% z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 0.59 zFT%

Duhon scored 9 of his 17 points in the last 4:41 of the game. He was perfect from the field, making all of his three shots and also going 3-of-4 from the free throw line. However, the one free throw that he missed was a clutch one (the Knicks were leading by just one point with 13 seconds remaining), and that lowered his zFT%.

David Lee (NYK)
25 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 100% FT%
32 z-pts (0.88), 0.81 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Lee got some big z-points thanks to a tip shot that gave the Knicks the lead with 28 seconds remaining.

Rasual Butler (LAC)
9 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 100% FT%
5 z-pts (0.15), 0.23 z2PT%, 0.06 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Butler had a decent look in the last shot of the game, a 3 that would have won it for the Clippers, but missed it. That’s why his z3PT% is lower than his real, non-clutch-adjusted 3PT%.

HOUSTON @ DALLAS 116-108

Tim Thomas (DAL)
10 pts, 0.25 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
20 z-pts (0.55), 0.28 z2PT%, 0.73 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

With Nowitzki out of the game, Tim Thomas filled in the void in the clutch department by burying a three-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation that sent the game to OT.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ PHILADELPHIA 112-107

Al Thornton (LAC)
12 pts, 0.42 2PT%
26 z-pts (0.77), 0.63 z2PT%

Thornton tied the game with 11 seconds remaining, forcing the extra period in which the Clippers would prevail.

Marreese Speights (PHI)
28 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
46 z-pts (1.35), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.64 zFT%

Speights had a big 4th quarter, scoring 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 4-of-5 from the line. His last bucket in regulation put the Sixers ahead with 20 seconds left in the game.

ATLANTA @ CHICAGO 98-101

Derrick Rose (CHI)
32 pts, 0.61 2PT%, 0.67 FT%
49 z-pts (1.59), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

“I guess I did what I’m supposed to do out there tonight and we were able to win,” Rose said. The Bulls PG was impressive, scoring 16 points in the 4th quarter and overtime combined on 6-of-9 shooting. Rose tied the game in regulation and then hit two clutch free throws in overtime to seal the game. Luol Deng and Joe Johnson missed shots at the end of regulation that would have won the game for their teams (see how their z2PT% is lower that their real 2PT%, reflecting those misses in the clutch). Joe Johnson also missed a game-tying three-pointer at the end of overtime. His lower z3PT% shows that, too.

SACRAMENTO @ MILWAUKEE 96-95

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
24 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
31 z-pts (1.18), 0.62 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

He did it again. The rookie drove to the basket in the last possession of the game and made the winning layup. “Coach told me it was my time to go out and make a play, and I did it,” Evans said.

Jason Thompson (SAC)
22 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
32 z-pts (1.24), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Thompson was big in the clutch, scoring 7 of his 22 points in the last 2:40 on 3-of-3 shooting. His last shot was a go-ahead basket for the Kings with 11 seconds to go.

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
15 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 100% FT%
22 z-pts (0.85), 0.18 z2PT%, 0.28 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Evans got the best of Jennings in this Rookie of the Year showdown. Although Jennings scored in the clutch, he didn’t do it very efficiently, as shown by his awful z-shooting %. He missed all of his three field goal attempts in the 4th quarter, but made it up by going 4-of-4 from the line, including two clutch free throws to regain the lead with 20 seconds left in the game.

Ersan Ilyasova (MIL)
14 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.89), 0.84 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Almost a game-winner for the Bucks forward from Turkey. Ilyasova took advantage of pass from Jennings to put the Bucks one point ahead of the Kings with 5 seconds to go (see how Jennings is credited for the assist- 9 assists vs. 12.89 z-assists).

INDIANA @ SAN ANTONIO 99-100

Tim Duncan (SAS)
19 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.60 FT%
39 z-pts (1.11), 0.47 z2PT%, 0.70 zFT%

Duncan won the game for the Spurs with a dunk with 4 seconds remaining. Because of that clutch play, one would expect Duncan’s z2PT% to skyrocket. But he also missed his share in crunch time, getting his shot blocked twice in the final minute (both times by Roy Hibbert). The second time, he was lucky enough to get the ball back and slam the win home. T.J. Ford had a chance to win the game for the Pacers in the last play of the game, but missed his jumper despite getting a pretty decent look at the basket (his z2PT% reflects that miss).

NBA Photos

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

PHOENIX @ L.A. CLIPPERS 109-107

Steve Nash (PHO)
24 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
47 z-pts (1.57), 0.86 z2PT%, 0.65 z3PT%, 0.88 zFT%

With 5 seconds left in the game, Steve Nash made a layup that gave the Suns the win. All in, he scored 15 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter, including a 3 to tie the game with 1:40 left on the clock. Simply amazing.

Leandro Barbosa (PHO)
17 pts, 0.3 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%
24 z-pts (0.80), 0.3 z2PT%, 0.74 z3PT%

Barbosa hit a huge 3 to give Phoenix a 107-104 lead with 23 seconds left. Note also how Channing Frye is credited for assisting Barbosa on this play (2 assists in the game but 7.9 z-assists).

Rasual Butler (LAC)
19 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
22 z-pts (0.74), 0.67 z2PT%, 0.84 z3PT%, 0.64 zFT%

Butler responded to Barbosa’s 3 with his own, to tie the game at 107 with 11 seconds left in the game. Notice how his z3PT% is higher than his true 3PT%, crediting Butler for this play.

Marcus Camby (LAC)
23 pts, 0.71 2PT%
15 z-pts (0.77), 0.59 z2PT%

Camby missed a couple of critical shots down the stretch and that’s why his z2PT% goes down (showing that, despite shooting 71% from 2PT range, he missed in the clutch). Also of note how he scored roughly the same points as Chris Kaman (Kaman had 22 for Camby’s 23), however Kaman got 23 z-points vs Camby’s 15, as the former made some buckets at the end of the game.

DENVER @ PORTLAND 97-94

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
41 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 0.5 3PT%, 0.9 FT%
52 z-pts (1.65), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.41 z3PT%, 0.94 zFT%

Monster game by Carmelo Anthony, who lighted up the Blazers with 41 pts (19 in the 4th quarter, hence the 52 z-points) and killed them from the FT line all night long (18 out of 20).

Greg Oden (POR)
6 pts, 0.4 2PT%, 0.5 FT%
3 z-pts (0.11), 0.41 z2PT%, 0.07 zFT%

Greg Oden missed two free throws with 4 seconds left that would have put the Blazers ahead. Note how his zFT% shows that.

NEW YORK @ CHARLOTTE 100-102

Raymond Felton (CHA)
22 pts, 0.5 2PT%, 0.86 FT%
36 z-pts (1.32), 0.66 z2PT%, 0.95 zFT%

Felton sent the game to the second overtime with a layup and scored consistently at the end of the game.

D.J. Augustin (CHA)
15 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
29 z-pts (1.08), 0.48 z2PT%, 0.53 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

D.J. missed a couple of FTs with the Bobcats up by two and 18 seconds left in the game. He would redeem himself later by hitting his FTs with just 2 seconds on the clock and the game tied at 100, giving Charlotte their first win of the season.

SACRAMENTO @ NEW ORLEANS 92-97

Chris Paul (NOR)
31 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.93 FT%
44z-pts (1.32), 0.54 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

Chris Paul was lethal on the 4th, as he scored 13 of his 31 points in this period (7 of 7 at the line).

DETROIT @ MILWAUKEE 85-96

Brandon Jennings (MIL)
24 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.75 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
30 z-pts (0.65), 0.62 z2PT%, 0.66 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Great performance by the rookie in his first official game in Milwaukee. Jennings scored 9 points in a 2-minute span at the end of the 3rd, spurring a rally that the Bucks would never relinquish.