New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis’ game-winning three in 2015
The New Orleans Pelicans were in Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder mid-way through the 2014-15 season. OKC was mired in an injury-plagued season by Kevin Durant, resulting in a 25-25 record that had them two games behind ninth-seeded New Orleans.
The two teams had faced off in New Orleans two days prior, where the Thunder emerged with a 102-91 victory. This game proved to be different as the Pelicans had possession with 1.3 seconds remaining in a 113-113 game.
The Pelicans possessed two deadly shooters in Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon. Neither could get open, prompting Tyreke Evans to find Anthony Davis popping open at the top of the key.
Davis had scored 38 to that point, none from beyond the arc. But without time to dribble, the sub-20 percent outside shooter had no choice but to let fly from downtown. As he raised up, KD tried to get a hand on the shot but came up with air as Davis double-pumped to guarantee a look.
As the ball soared to the rim, the buzzer sounded and Davis slid to the floor. It sunk through the net, stunning OKC’s fans into a state of silence.
New Orlean’s 27th win of the season was hardly worth celebrating minus the immediate shock factor. But in a season that saw the Pelicans earn a playoff berth in the final game of the regular season, Davis’ only 3-pointer on the year proved to be worth a little more down the line.