Horry Scale: Bam Adebayo game-winner from deep saves Heat

Bam Adebayo connects from deep to save Miami at the buzzer

A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.

The Miami Heat were cruising along in Detroit for most of Sunday, but needed a miracle from their big man to salvage a 104-101 win in the Motor City.

GAME SITUATION: With seven seconds remaining and the game tied at 101-101, Miami secured the rebound and advanced the ball without calling a timeout. A loss was not imminent, and Miami had a young and uncertain Pistons team on its heels with the clock winding down.

DIFFICULTY: Bringing the ball up, Terry Rozier drew additional attention from Bam Adebayo’s defender. That was because Adebayo was trailing the play. Many big men do so in the hopes of walking into a straightaway 3-pointer, but that’s not a normal occurrence for the more paint-bound Adebayo, who had made just 3 of 16 attempts from distance this season coming in. Add to that the defense recovering enough to contest Adebayo’s last-second attempt, and it was hardly a routine make for the Heat big man.

CELEBRATION: Beating the Pistons in March won’t win any awards, but that didn’t stop Adebayo’s teammates from mobbing him at halfcourt amid a buzz of dejection from the Detroit faithful.

By any means necessary. That's our captain. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/9yo6vuL7aO

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 17, 2024

GRADE: This is a Heat team that has rediscovered more of its spirit – and more wins – in the second half of the season. With a traffic jam right at the Eastern Conference Play-In line, every victory matters. Adebayo’s game-winning 3-pointer at Detroit could matter a lot, and that in itself is an amazing fact.

3 Horrys.