Darius Garland wins it for Cleveland from long range.
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.
If you’re going to break a team’s heart at the buzzer, you might as well do it with some style. That was Darius Garland’s philosophy Wednesday against Detroit as the Cavaliers guard canned a 31-foot pullup as time expired to snap a tie at 115 and give semi-struggling Cleveland its NBA-best 41st victory of the season.
GAME SITUATION: Scuffling along at 4-4 in its previous eight outings, Cleveland was on the verge of another disappointing result after Detroit erased a 13-point deficit over the final 9:03, including Cade Cunningham’s three free throws to tie the game with five seconds remaining. It marked the second instance Cleveland fouled Cunningham (38 points) on a 3-pointer in as many possessions.
Having spent all their timeouts, the Cavaliers had no choice but to hope somebody could create something out of nothing in the ensuing full-court scramble. That somebody was Garland, who took a quick pass from Georges Niang, dribbled three times into the frontcourt and rose up for the jumper from 31 feet on the edge of Detroit’s logo. Perfect form. Perfect aim. Ballgame.
DG’s winner as called by @CavsJMike! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/TWynuOD0dz
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 6, 2025
DIFFICULTY: While NBA shooting percentages from such distance aren’t readily available, Basketball Reference has the league accuracy from beyond halfcourt at roughly 2% this season. Given that Garland’s shot was just a few steps inside the line — under extreme duress, no less — it gives you an idea just how ridiculous it was. Not as ridiculous as Max Strus’ 59-foot winner for the Cavs last season, of course, the second longest buzzer-beater in NBA history. But certainly worthy of honorable mention.
CELEBRATION: “Darius with the dagger!” Great call from Cavaliers play-by-play announcer John Michael, followed with a mad dash by Garland’s teammates to swarm him as he struck a “how-ya-like-me-now” pose with the faintest of smiles.
GRADE: Regular season shots get a mandatory one Horry markdown. But the lack of significant stakes aside, that’s about as wild as you can reasonably ask for a February buzzer-beater. Four Horrys
