Still think these NBA Playoffs lack some drama? Sports fans got a major thrill this past weekend as the NBA delivered three magnificent buzzer-beaters that were simply awe-inspiring. Derrick Rose got the party started with his miraculous bank shot against Cleveland in Game 3 of their second round series before Paul Pierce and LeBron James produced their own versions of the dagger against Atlanta and Chicago, respectively.
With those three game-winners, this year’s playoffs can proudly boast that it has the most buzzer-beaters in a single postseason (four and counting) since 2010. And with that in mind, we now count down every buzzer-beating shot in the 2015 Playoffs. We ranked the following buzzer-beaters based on the importance of the game, the difficulty of the shot and the gravity of the situation.
Read on below for our complete list and while you’re at it, you can check out predictions and previews for each and every game of the NBA playoffs here. Check back here regularly throughout the Playoffs as we continue to count up the buzzer beaters in this thrilling postseason.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Top Five Buzzer-Beaters in 2015 NBA Playoffs
No. 5 – Stephen Curry (Game 6 vs. Memphis – Second Round)
[sc:NBA240banner ]Stephen Curry showed his flair for the dramatic in Golden State’s Game 6 second-round clincher against the Memphis Grizzlies. The game was set for a tense finish as the Grizzlies looked set to end the third quarter with at most a five-point deficit. Jeff Green even had the chance to cut it to a one-possession ballgame but his three-point attempt was blocked by Andre Iguodala with a second remaining in the game clock.
That’s more than enough time for the newly-minted MVP to wreak some havoc. Curry grabbed the loose ball and heaved a 62-footer that found nothing but the bottom of the net. That proved to be the final dagger to the Grizzlies as the Warriors coasted to the victory and advanced to their first Western Conference final in 39 years. Curry’s shot might not have been a game-winner but it definitely deserves a spot in our list.
No. 4 – Jerryd Bayless (Game 4 vs. Chicago – First Round)
Apart from the Spurs-Clippers series, the first round of this year’s playoffs didn’t live up to the excitement of last year’s opening round. Jerryd Bayless, however, delivered one of the few highlights of the first round with his buzzer-beating layup against the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series.
With 1.3 seconds remaining in the clock and the game tied at 90, Jared Dudley rifled in a tight cross-court pass to Bayless who quickly spun around for the game-winning right-handed layup. It was a huge moment not only for Bayless but for the entire Milwaukee organization as that shot gave them their first playoff victory in five years. They quickly followed that win with a victory in Game 5 before eventually bowing in six games to the Bulls.
There’s so much more in store for this young Milwaukee team and that Bayless basket will go a long way in instilling confidence in Jason Kidd’s men as they look to contend for the coming seasons ahead.
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No. 3 – Paul Pierce (Game 3 vs. Atlanta – Second Round)
When the Wizards signed veteran Paul Pierce to a two-year-contract last offseason, many questioned the move, asking if it was still wise for Washington to invest $11 million on a player who was already 36 years old. Well, the Wizards front office is having the last laugh now as its prized acquisition sank a clutch buzzer-beater in Game 3 to give Washington a 2-1 series lead against Atlanta.
It was pretty much smooth sailing for the Wizards in that game as they led by as much as 20 points in the fourth quarter. The top-seeded Hawks battled back strongly, however, and tied the game at 101 with a Mike Muscala three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining in the contest.
Some teams would have folded right then and there but not this Wizards squad, who had the fortune of having the veteran Pierce on their side. Known for his clutch moments his entire career, The Truth added to his highlight reel with a tough 21-foot jumper against three defenders that kissed off the glass as time expired. Asked afterwards if he called bank on that last shot, Pierce emphatically said that he called “Game.” It’s safe to say he’s got game alright.
No. 2 – LeBron James (Game 4 vs. Chicago – Second Round)
“Give me the ball and get out of the way!”
That was the strong message of LeBron James to his coach David Blatt after learning that he would inbound the ball in what was supposedly the Cavs’ final play in Game 4. Thankfully for Cavs fans, the King intervened and subsequently drained the game-winning jumper as time expired to give Cleveland the all-important 86-84 victory.
It’s a bit perplexing why Blatt would design such a play in the first place considering LeBron James is one of the most clutch performers in the history of the NBA. With his buzzer-beating gem against the Bulls, the four-time MVP now has three career playoff buzzer-beaters which are the most by any player in the last 15 years.
James’ shot on Sunday was a thing of beauty as he hit it over the outstretched arms of Jimmy Butler. What made the shot more difficult was that James injured his left ankle prior to that attempt. With injuries plaguing the Cavaliers left and right, the shot was crucial in the sense that it gave new life to Cleveland’s flagging playoff campaign.
No. 1 – Derrick Rose (Game 3 vs. Cleveland – Second Round)
Let’s all be honest here. The entire basketball universe (apart from Cleveland fans) rejoiced when Derrick Rose sank his miraculous three-pointer at the buzzer against the Cavaliers in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series on Friday. With all the tribulations he has faced so far in his career, it was nice to see the 2011 MVP go back to the top of the basketball world even for at least one night.
With the game tied at 96 and with three seconds remaining in the clock, the entire building knew that the ball would end up in Derrick Rose’s hands. Rose didn’t let the Chicago faithful down, banking in a tough three-pointer as time expired to give the Bulls the 2-1 series lead. What made the shot so difficult was that he shot it over the outstretched arms of Tristan Thompson.
Some are saying that Rose was extremely lucky with his game-winner. If there’s one player, though, who deserves all the luck in the world, it’s got to be Rose who looks like he’s finally back to his basketball-playing best once again.
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