Kawhi. So. Clutch. pic.twitter.com/jKx53SScsM
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 11, 2016
That’s Kawhi Leonard nailing a pull-up jumper with .9 seconds left to give the San Antonio Spurs a 98-96 lead over the Orlando Magic. Without any timeouts, Scott Skiles’ team was forced to in-bound 94 feet from its own basket and hope for a last-gasp chance to tie.
Except the Spurs gave the Magic a better opportunity to send this game to overtime than Elfrid Payton and company ever could have imagined.
https://i.giphy.com/UFfFOtAkePja0.gif
That’s a tough shot. Payton’s momentum is taking him away from the rim, and it’s a longer reverse layup than to which he’s typically accustomed. Still, you can bet Orlando’s young floor general expects to make a try like this one – whether the game is on the line or otherwise.
Some advice for Patty Mills: Stick to your man in this situation next time. Not that he needs to hear it, of course. Gregg Popovich will no doubt let the Aussie point guard know all about his nearly game-defining gaffe.
