Indiana Pacers playoff hero admits even he was ‘shocked’ after game winner which NBA fans labeled ‘lucky prayer shot’
EVEN Andrew Nembhard could not believe he won the game for the Indiana Pacers last night.
The unlikely hero entered the fourth quarter scoreless and was 1-7 when he got the ball with 17.8 seconds remaining.
ReutersAndrew Nembhard was 1-7 before his heroic shot[/caption]
GettyIndiana Pacers guard Nembhard drained a 3-pointer[/caption]
Nembhard nailed a 3-pointer to break a tie and help seal a 111-106 Game 3 win over the New York Knicks.
“When I got the ball I didn’t really realize what the time was. [Tyrese Haliburton] said something, I looked up and it was like two seconds on the clock so I just knew I had to get something off,” said Nembhard, 24.
“So I created a little bit of space and put it up.
“I was just in the moment. I was kind of shocked a little bit.
“I was just happy the ball went in, and kind of focus on the next thing.”
Haliburton found himself facing center Isaiah Hartenstein and realized a double-team was coming at the top of the key.
He changed his plans and flung the ball to Nembhard, who drained his effort.
“I saw me and Hartenstein one-on-one up top, so I just thought get to my shot. But I heard Tom Thibodeau yelling to double,” Haliburton said.
“I probably held the ball a little too long. I should have been more aggressive to attack the blitz, but I put you in kind of a bad situation.
“He just made an unbelievable shot. Big, big shot. [He] really just stepped up to the moment when we needed him the most and it was really good to see.”
“That shot was outta the ceiling Best saturday this week,” commented a delighted fan.
“Huge shot for the pacers. They need this game or they toast,” added another.
“The deep step back 3 at the buzzer is crazy,” replied a third.
“Lucky prayer shot. He was shocked he made it,” added a dissenting voice.
The Pacers had blown a 12-point lead and found themselves at 106-106 looking to avoid going 3-0 down in the series.
NBA Eastern Conference playoffs
First Round
Boston Celtics (1) 4-1 Miami Heat (8)Cleveland Cavaliers (4) 4-3 Orlando Magic (5)Milwaukee Bucks (3) 2-4 Indiana Pacers (6)New York Knicks (2) 4-2 Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Boston Celtics (1) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4)Indiana Pacers (6) vs. New York Knicks (2)
Coach Rick Carlisle was delighted with Nembhard’s composure under pressure,
“He’s one of our toughest guys mentally and physically,” Carlisle said.
“And he’s really gained a love for these types of moments.
“And in playing in this kind of stage, this kind of level of competition.
“The clock was down, and sometimes in those situations it frees you up even more. And he just laced it.”
Haliburton added: “He’s missed a couple shots, but he was ready when his time was called.
“I’m just excited for him because after the Bucks game — Game 3 — he was like, ‘My main playoff moment is going to be an offensive rebound.’
“So I’m glad that this is probably his biggest moment now. I’m excited for him.”
Game 4 takes place in Indiana tomorrow as the Pacers look to level the series.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings