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

NEW ORLEANS @ ORLANDO 117-123

Vince Carter (ORL)
48 pts, 0.76 2PT%, 0.60 3PT%, 100% FT%
64 z-pts (1.58), 0.82 z2PT%, 0.61 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

It was vintage Carter against the Hornets, as he scored 34 second-half points (18 pts in the 4th) to help Orlando come back from 17 behind and beat New Orleans handily.

WASHINGTON @ CHARLOTTE 92-94

Raymond Felton (CHA)
11 pts, 0.57 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.83), 0.78 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Even when he’s playing hurt (recovering from a twisted right ankle), Felton shows tremendous poise and effectiveness in clutch situations. This time he hit a fade away jumper over Washington’s Randy Foye to give the Bobcats the lead with 1.9 seconds left. “I wasn’t even thinking about my ankle at the time. I was just thinking about trying to win the game, whatever it took,” Felton said. Raymond Felton is one of the league’s leaders in z-points per point (4th if we don’t consider outlier Sundiata Gaines).

Ronald Murray (CHA)
16 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.67 FT%
21 z-pts (0.66), 0.77 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.58 zFT%

Murray sank a clutch free throw to tie the game with 21 seconds remaining, but he missed his first one (giving him a lower zFT%).  Wizard Antawn Jamison missed a shot to tie the game at the buzzer, which explains his .19 z2PT% vs his .35 2PT%.

SACRAMENTO @ NEW YORK 118-114

Kevin Martin (SAC)
17 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
26 z-pts (0.73), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.40 z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

The overtime belonged to Kevin Martin, who scored the first nine points of the extra period for the Kings. Overall, he went 3-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line in the extra period.

Tyreke Evans (SAC)
27 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
33 z-pts (0.92), 0.43 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.80 zFT%

With his team trailing by 8, Evans led the Kings rally in the 4th quarter, scoring 10 points in the last 3:14 of regulation.

Jason Thompson (SAC)
12 pts, 0.62 2PT%, 100% FT%
18 z-pts (0.51), 0.74 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

His dunk with 25 seconds left in regulation tied the game, capping the comeback initiated by Evans and sending the game to OT, where Kevin Martin took over right from the start.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ PORTLAND 89-77

James Harden (OKL)
13 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.40 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
19 z-pts (0.42), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.49 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Strong 4th quarter for Harden, who scored all of his 13 points in the period.

PHILADELPHIA @ TORONTO 93-104

Jose Calderon (TOR)
10 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.44), 0.78 z2PT%, 0.74 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

A huge 4-point play by the Spanish point guard broke the tie with 2 minutes left. The Raptors took off from there to win the game.

BOSTON @ NEW ORLEANS 85-93

Darren Collison (NOR)
25 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.50 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
30 z-pts (0.69), 0.71 z2PT%, 0.59 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

Collison scored 11 points in the 4th quarter and kept coming back at the Celtics every time they tried to spark a rally.

CHARLOTTE @ MINNESOTA 93-92

Nazr Mohammed (CHA)
21 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
42 z-pts (1.12), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.75 zFT%

Mohammed has been clutch lately. His dunk with 5 seconds remaining lifted the Bobcats over the Timberwolves.

L.A. CLIPPERS @ GOLDEN STATE 102-132

Craig Smith (LAC)
14 pts, 100% 2PT%, 0.75 FT%
2 z-pts (0.02), 100% z2PT%, 0.49 zFT%

The Warriors literally rolled over the Clippers in this game. Smith got 14 points in garbage time, getting only 2 z-points as a result.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY @ ATLANTA 94-91

Jeff Green (OKL)
15 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.80 FT%
20 z-pts (0.49), 0.56 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 0.78 zFT%

Oklahoma beat one of the best teams in the league thanks to Jeff Green’s And-1 with 12 seconds left and the Thunder up by two. On top of that, he did it in style.

MILWAUKEE @ HOUSTON 98-101

Carl Landry (HOU)
12 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.59), 0.48 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Landry outscored Milwaukee 5-0 in the first minute of overtime, and the Rockets never looked back. He’s the kind of player any team would love to have, able to score and go to the line (and hit’em) down the stretch.

PHILADELPHIA @ MINNESOTA 103-108

Al Jefferson (MIN)
23 pts, 0.53 2PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (0.88), 0.53 z2PT%, 100% zFT%

Jefferson scored 11 points in the 4th quarter as the Timberwolves tried to come back and beat the Sixers after trailing by 17 at the half.

Damien Wilkins (MIN)
13 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
19 z-pts (0.52), 0.69 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Wilkins scored 8 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. Since this was a game that only started to be competitive in the 3rd quarter, he gets more z-points than some of his teammates as he scored mostly when it mattered.

Andre Iguodala (PHI)
17 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
26 z-pts (0.73), 0.21 z2PT%, 0.85 z3PT%, 0.62 zFT%

Iguodala scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, but he missed a clutch free throw down the stretch and a potentially game-winning shot at the end of regulation. Note how both his z2PT% and zFT% are lower as a result (Jonny Flynn also missed a clutch two-pointer at the end of the 4th and gets a lower z2PT%).

PORTLAND @ PHILADELPHIA 98-90

Jerryd Bayless (POR)
18 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
24 z-pts (0.69), 0.65 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Blayless went 5-of-8 in the 4th quarter for 14 points that were key to the Blazer’s win against Philly.

MEMPHIS @ NEW ORLEANS 111-113

James Posey (NOR)
6 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
23 z-pts (0.72), 0.94 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Just by looking at the box score we know it must have been Posey who won this game for the Hornets. First thing that jumps to the eye is the difference between points and adjusted z-points (6 vs. 23) – we don’t see such a huge disparity in any of his teammates. Next thing we see is that his z2PT% is much higher than his 2PT%. As a matter of fact, Posey hit the game-winner as he drove to the basket in the waning moments of regulation. Watch the recap here.

Chris Paul (NOR)
21 pts, 0.58 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.87 FT%
36 z-pts (1.12), 0.75 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.96 zFT%

Paul had another tremendous game in the clutch, scoring 10 points on perfect shooting in the last 4:20 and handing out key assists to his teammates when it mattered (the one that gives him big z-assists is his pass to David West to take the lead with 1:21 remaining). Note how his z-shooting % is higher than his normal shooting %, reflecting efficiency in the clutch.

Rudy Gay (MEM)
26 pts, 0.67 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
35 z-pts (1.11), 0.74 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 0.90 zFT%

First Rudy Gay’s appearance in our Sunday Beat, as he takes charge in the clutch department against the Hornets. Gay scored 7 points in the last 1:32 without a miss, including a trey to tie the game with 6 seconds left. The way Memphis is playing, I’m sure we’ll see him here again pretty soon.

DENVER @ GOLDEN STATE 123-118

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
37 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
48 z-pts (1.73), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.67 z3PT%, 0.83 zFT%

Mr. Big Shot honored his name by scoring 10 points in the 4th plus another 10 in OT on a combined 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Super clutch. And super efficient, too.

J.R. Smith (DEN)
14 pts, 0.44 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%
23 z-pts (0.84), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.58 z3PT%

J.R. Smith gets his z-points thanks to a huge 3 with 29 seconds remaining in OT that gave Denver a two-point lead.

Monta Ellis (GSW)
39 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
48 z-pts (1.72), 0.37 z2PT%, 0.70 z3PT%, 0.65 zFT%

Ellis hit a big 3 to tie the game with 28 seconds remaining in regulation. Then Anthony missed Denver’s last shot, sending the game to overtime (see how low Melo’s z2PT% is because of this). In OT, Ellis hit another big 3 with 45 seconds left to give Golden State the lead. We can easily notice that he was clutch from beyond the arc just by looking at his z3PT%. But he also missed one clutch free throw that would have tied the game with 25 seconds left in OT (he made 1 of 2), and we can also notice this as his zFT% is lower than his real FT%.

L.A. LAKERS @ CLEVELAND 87-93

LeBron James (CLE)
37 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.11 3PT%, 0.77 FT%
47 z-pts (1.36), 0.83 z2PT%, 0.18 z3PT%, 0.75 zFT%

LeBron James was hitting jumper after jumper in crunch time against the Lakers, some of them with Kobe (surprisingly) on the bench. The King went 5-of-7 to score 12 points in the last 6:22, including a key jumper with 40 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a two-point lead.

Kobe Bryant (LAL)
31 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.67 3PT%, 100% FT%
30 z-pts (0.87), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.87 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Kobe was no match for LeBron this time, although we have to acknowledge that he’s been playing through a finger injury that is probably affecting his shooting touch. Somehow he still managed to put up some points in crunch time, as he scored four consecutive points to tie the game at 87 with 1:31 left. But then he missed a key layup that would have tied the game again with 26 seconds remaining. It seems that the Cavs got the Lakers’ number this season, maybe this is finally the King’s year?

Pau Gasol (LAL)
13 pts, 0.36 2PT%, 0.50 FT%
9 z-pts (0.25), 0.19 z2PT%, 0.19 zFT%

Pau was bad, bad, bad down the stretch. Last minute of the game, game tied at 87, Pau gets the ball in the low post… and gets his shot blocked twice. Then LeBron takes the ball to the other end of the court and hits a jumper to put his team two points up. Gasol had an opportunity to redeem himself in the next possession, as he got fouled and went to the line, but ended up missing both free throws. See how both his z2PT% and zFT% reflect this.

PORTLAND @ BOSTON 95-98

Ray Allen (BOS)
9 pts, 0.22 2PT%, 0.20 3PT%, 0.50 FT%
17 z-pts (0.51), 0.12 z2PT%, 0.44 z3PT%, 0.40 zFT%

Ray Allen’s three with 41 seconds left gave the Celts a one-point lead at the end of overtime. See how his z3PT% shows the clutchness of this shot. However, this was an awful shooting night for Allen, as he went 3-of-14 overall.

Tony Allen (BOS)
8 pts, 0.80 2PT%
15 z-pts (0.46), 0.89 z2PT%

Tony Allen’s dunk with 12 seconds left in OT sealed the win for the Celtics. Ray Allen gets credit for the assist (4 assists vs. 6.53 z-assists).

Martell Webster (POR)
19 pts, 0.30 2PT%, 0.29 3PT%, 0.78 FT%
27 z-pts (0.82), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.38 z3PT%, 0.76 zFT%

With the Blazers trailing by five in the last two minutes of regulation, Webster took matters into his own hands and scored five consecutive points (a two-point shot and a trey) to send the game to overtime.

NEW ORLEANS @ MINNESOTA 96-94

James Posey (NOR)
6 pts, 0.75 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%
22 z-pts (0.72), 100% z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%

Second game-winner for Posey this week! Just as he beat the Grizzlies two days before, this time he stunned the Timberwolves with a layup at the buzzer.

Peja Stojakovic (NOR)
6 pts, 0.33 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 100% FT%
21 z-pts (0.68), 0.51 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Stojakovic was clutch from the free throw line, sinking four free throws without a miss in the last 12 seconds of the game.

OKLAHOMA CITY @ MEMPHIS 84-86

Rudy Gay (MEM)
25 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.71 FT%
40 z-pts (1.14), 0.58 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.74 zFT%

What did I say? Here’s Rudy Gay again, for the second time this week (just like James Posey… I guess the hot hand thing works after all!). Gay hit the winning J over Kevin Durant with 1.3 seconds left to lift the Grizzlies over the Thunder. His z2PT% is hardly much higher than his real 2PT% just because he shot an awful 1-of-4 down the stretch. Watch the recap and the game-winner here.

ORLANDO @ CHARLOTTE 106-95

Vince Carter (ORL)
21 pts, 0.60 2PT%, 0.33 3PT%, 0.60 FT%
31 z-pts (0.98), 0.61 z2PT%, 0.34 z3PT%, 0.59 zFT%

Carter helped his team down the stretch by scoring 7 of the Magic’s last 11 points in regulation.

Jameer Nelson (ORL)
21 pts, 0.56 2PT%, 100% 3PT%, 100% FT%
26 z-pts (0.82), 0.79 z2PT%, 100% z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Nelson gave the Magic a two-point lead with 37 seconds left in regulation, then added 6 points in overtime to help his team pull away from the Bobcats. “We had some bad matchups in overtime and they did a great job,” Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. “Jameer got them started.”

OKLAHOMA CITY @ CLEVELAND 99-100

Daniel Gibson (CLE)
13 pts, 0.40 2PT%, 0.37 3PT%
38 z-pts (1.12), 0.57 z2PT%, 0.68 z3PT%

With 8.7 seconds left, Gibson hit a big three to give the Cavs a two-point lead. LeBron James gets credit for the assist (12 assists vs. 18.67 z-assists).

PORTLAND @ DETROIT 97-93

Andre Miller (POR)
11 pts, 0.50 2PT%, 0.83 FT%
24 z-pts (0.71), 0.50 z2PT%, 0.97 zFT%

Martell Webster was the best Blazer in terms of z-points (0.85 for 29 adjusted z-points) but he also got help from Andre Miller, who sunk four clutch free throws in the last 1:42.

SACRAMENTO @ MIAMI 84-115

Omri Casspi (SAC)
13 pts, 0.86 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.33 FT%
3 z-pts (0.03), 0.46 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.49 zFT%

The rookie from Israel got his points in garbage time in a game that had plenty of it as the Heat routed the Kings 115-84.

CHICAGO @ HOUSTON 104-97

Derrick Rose (CHI)
20 pts, 0.54 2PT%, 0.00 3PT%, 0.75 FT%
25 z-pts (0.57), 0.60 z2PT%, 0.00 z3PT%, 0.73 zFT%

With the Rockets mounting a comeback late in the 4th, Rose stepped up and scored four consecutive points in the last 30 seconds to annihilate Houston’s hopes.

NEW ORLEANS @ DENVER 110-116

Chauncey Billups (DEN)
20 pts, 0.43 2PT%, 0.43 3PT%, 100% FT%
31 z-pts (1.01), 0.31 z2PT%, 0.69 z3PT%, 100% zFT%

Apparently Billups is back in true form. With the Nuggets trailing by one in the last minute of regulation, Chauncey hit a huge 3 to give Denver a two-point lead with 24 seconds left.

Chris Paul (NOR)
26 pts, 0.64 2PT%, 0.25 3PT%, 0.83 FT%
41 z-pts (1.31), 0.68 z2PT%, 0.37 z3PT%, 0.89 zFT%

Although Paul wasn’t the top scorer in this game, he was in terms of z-points. The Hornets superstar scored 11 points in the 4th quarter and 7 more in OT but it wasn’t enough to contain Denver’s late charge in the extra period. In the last minute of regulation, Paul made a couple of clutch plays. First he gave his team the lead with 38 seconds remaining, and later he tied the game at 101 with a great layup over Kenyon Martin.

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