A reminder of the Horry Scale: It divides a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) into categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden variety night). ). in November?) and celebrations. We then give an overall grade on a scale of 1 to 5. Robert Horrys, named after the patron saint of last-minute answered prayers.

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Portland did it the hard way on Thursday, jumping out to a 17-point lead over Denver in the fourth quarter, squandering it all and falling behind by two points with a minute left, and ending up 126-124 at the hands of Anfernee Summer held out Simons’ clever layup in the game.

GAME SITUATION: Against a better, more experienced team, the Trail Blazers appeared powerless, but took a number of physical hits as the Nuggets outscored them by 19 points in the final 11 minutes of the fourth quarter. But they showed admirable poise, hitting four free throws in the final minute to give themselves a chance to win after Nikola Jokić tied the game at 124 with 16.8 seconds left.

DIFFICULTY: It’s difficult to formulate a relatively uncontroversial game-winner layup, but that’s how it happened. Simons simply ran down the clock, shot past Russell Westbrook off the dribble, and kissed the high-percentage shot off the glass as time expired because Jokić or another Nugget was too slow to help.

Even Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was surprised at the ease of Simon’s shot, as he expected the Nuggets to knock the ball out of his hands. In fact, his main concern on the final possession was to give Denver no time to fend off a missed shot and steal the game with a game-winning goal of their own.

“I just wanted to make sure we had the last chance,” Billups said. “I felt like he did a pretty good job of getting to the basket. I thought they would shoot him too late. I told him, “I don’t know who’s going to take this last shot, but make sure we take the last shot.” And if they shoot him, it’s no problem for me if one of you takes it.

“But they never did.”

ANFERNEE SIMONS WINS FROM GLASS 🔥#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness https://t.co/TBdkqp6UuI pic.twitter.com/N3nDtOBAwJ

– NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2024

CELEBRATION: Simons is known for his reserved demeanor and is one of the more stoic players in the NBA. But even he couldn’t resist a quick clap and a smile as his teammates rushed to attack him.

“I hit a shot, I feel pretty comfortable shooting it and it worked,” said Simons, who scored 28 points with 10 assists. “I definitely got to the area I wanted. They are quite used to working in a double team (in situations like this); you kind of expect it. But when you get a personal opportunity, you have to take it.”

However, the Blazers’ lack of experience ultimately cost them – no one thought to save the game ball for him.

“It’s gone,” he said. “Wait for the next game.”

DEGREE: Despite the win, Portland remains at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, closer to last place (4.5 games) than it was to the play-in tournament (5.5). But after losing six games in a row and 17 in total, Simons’ winner came as a welcome relief – against quality opposition, no less. 3 horrors.