Scoreboard
Cavaliers 124, Rockets 89
Hawks 111, Magic 99
Heat 101, 76ers 96
Lakers 107, Mavericks 104 (OT)
Bucks 114, Pacers 99
Pelicans 113, Thunder 110
Hornets 131, Spurs 115
Timberwolves 124, Nuggets 107
Jazz 124, Clippers 103
Grizzlies 113, Trail Blazers 103
Kings 119, Wizards 105
What went down
It was a crazy day around the NBA with a pair of unbelievable game-winners!
There are levels to buzzer-beaters and this one from Devonte’ Graham might be the best one of the season.
🤯🤯🤯
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2021
Devonte' Graham WINS IT for the @PelicansNBA with the RIDICULOUS 3-quarter court #TissotBuzzerBeater! #ThisIsYourTime pic.twitter.com/bpw9Htkrz4
It was a Hail Mary shot from Graham that he had to take with 1.4 seconds left because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a game-tying stepback triple on the previous play.
The Pelicans were trying to take a foul but Gilgeous-Alexander just managed to slip away and hoist a triple. Through the haze of the SGA shot, Graham was able to heave the ball from three-quarters of the court to stun the Oklahoma crowd. Graham’s 61-footer is the farthest game-winning buzzer-beater over the last 25 years, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Talking about big shots, there was no shortage in Dallas. But the biggest and baddest shot of the game came from an undrafted rookie. Austin Reeves hit a fearless 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left to seal the win for the Lakers and shoot down the Mavericks.
"Austin Reaves 3-pointer... BANG!"
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2021
Reaves wins it for the @Lakers from deep!! pic.twitter.com/Pxvw3FJcio
It was a flurry of clutch baskets in the last moments of OT. Russell Westbrook drilled a corner trey but was countered on the other end by Maxi Kleber’s bank shot from distance. However, it was Reeves who had the last laugh with his 3.
The two teams ended up combining for five game-tying or go-ahead 3-pointers in the final minute of the final period and overtime (tied for most in a single game in the last quarter-century via ESPN), including Wayne Ellington’s shot that sent the game into the extra session.
Big-time baller
Gordon Hayward delivered a vintage performance as he went off for 41 points on an absurd 78.9 percent shooting clip. He was 5-of-6 from deep and made all of his five attempts from the line.
Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, put on a show in the Timberwolves’ victory, scoring 38 points and a franchise-record 10 triples. He also became the youngest player ever to make 10 3s.
Ant Man was 14-of-21 from the field, 10-of-14 from downtown, and pulled down five rebounds.
What he said
What do you even say after taking a buzzer-beating 61-footer?
Even @Devonte4Graham couldn't believe it!
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2021
Hear from Devonte' after his WILD #TissotBuzzerBeater for the @PelicansNBA! pic.twitter.com/b0jKLWg8xT
Did you see that?
A couple of jaw-dropping plays today, but this one deserves a nod too.
Isaac Okoro put three (!!!) Rockets in a highlight. Check the mean mug after as he surveyed the dead bodies around the rim.
HAVE MERCY! 🥶 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/GzuyVwWYy6
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 16, 2021
