Sports

Top 10 NBA Game Winners

Aiden Plummer, Writer
February 25, 2020

Over the course of the last five years, there have been some impeccable game-winning shots and game-saving baskets. Some teams have been haunted by game-winners and others have risen to the moment to win. These are some of the most memorable game-winning moments.

The Impeccable Tip

It is the second game of the 2018- 2019 NBA season. The teams that are playing are the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz. Jonas Jerebko inbounds the ball to Kevin Durant and he pulls up at the foul line but missed and Jonas Jerebko tipped it in with 0.3 seconds remaining. This is important because Jerebko had played for the Jazz the season before and it was against his former fans.

Lebronto

It is game 3 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals (the Cleveland Cavilers vs the Toronto Raptors). There are 8 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. Lebron James brings it up the court. He takes an off-balance layup and its banks in off the glass at the buzzer. That was important because the Cavs took a 3 game to 0 lead in the series.

LeKing

It is a 2017- 2018 regular-season game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jimmy Butler drives to the lane but gets blocked by Lebron James. Cavs call timeout. Jeff Green throws it to Lebron and turns around on Butler and makes the shot. That was important because Lebron dedicated the win to Cleveland.

Lukamania

It’s the beginning of the 2018-2019 season between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers. There are 0.6 seconds left in the game; Jalen Brunson inbounds the ball to Luka Donicic in the corner and he nailed it to tie the game at the buzzer. That is important because it jumpstarted the rookie Luka Doncic’s career.

The Impossible

It is towards the end of the 2018-2019 NBA regular season and it is the Toronto Raptors vs the Charlotte Hornets; there are 3.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the score is 112-114 Raptors. The Hornets inbound it to Jeremy Lamb, he fumbles the ball has to shoot from halfcourt, he hit at the buzzer, and the Hornets won. This was important because it gave the team confidence because they were not doing well that season.

The Crazy Bonze

It is the 2018-2019 NBA Playoffs the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Game 7 (the Toronto Raptors vs the Philadelphia 76ers). The score is tied 190-190 there are 4.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Marc Gasol inbounds the ball to Kawhi Lenard. He dribbles to the side of the basket, it hits the rim, the ball bounces for a few seconds and falls in. This is important because the Raptors have made it to the conference finals for the second time and go on to win the NBA Finals.

4.L3gacy

It is the 2018-2019 regular-season game between the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat. The score is 123-125 Warriors. Dwayne Wade brings it up with 12.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He drives down low passes to Dion Watters back to Wade he gets blocked gets it back and hits the three and the Miami Heat win. This was important because Dwayne Wade was wrapping up his career.

The Wave

It is Game 5 of the 2018-2019 NBA Western Conference first-round between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are 12.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Damian Lillard putting the dance moves on Paul Geroge, fires from 37 feet, he hit it sending the thunder out of the playoffs. This was important because the Blazers won the series.

Splash

It is a regular-season game in 2015-2016, the Golden State Warriors taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are 11.7 seconds left in Overtime number 1. Russel Westbrook drives and misses. Andre Iguodala gets the rebound, he gives it to Stephen Curry, he shot from just inside halfcourt, and with 0.6 seconds remaining, the Warriors win! This was important because It helped prove Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time and helped the Warriors go 73-9.

Cleveland, this is for you!

It is game 7 of the 2015-2016 NBA Finals. (The Golden State Warriors vs the Cleveland Cavilers.) There is 1:09 left. The score is deadlocked at 89-89. Left in the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving dancing on Stephen Curry, he puts up a three, Kyrie from downtown Cavs up by three; there was no more scoring the rest of the game. This was important because Cleveland won it’s first NBA title ever.

To conclude, these are some game-winners that ended a team’s season or won a team a championship. Don’t be afraid to take the final shot there is always a chance it will go in.

R.I.P Kobe and Gianna Byrant