In timed sports, a buzzer beater is a shot that is taken just before the game clock of a quarter, a half, or an overtime period expires, but does not go in the basket until after the clock expires and the buzzer sounds, hence the name "buzzer beater". In basketball, the concept normally applies to baskets that beat an end-of-quarter/2nd-half/overtime buzzer but is sometimes applied to shots that beat the shot clock buzzer.
Derek Fisher shoots a buzzer beater against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010
A shot clock is a countdown timer used in a variety of games and sports, indicating a set amount of time that a team may possess the object of play before attempting to score a goal. Shot clocks are used in several sports including basketball, water polo, canoe polo, lacrosse, poker, ringette, korfball, tennis, ten-pin bowling, and various cue sports. It is analogous with the play clock used in American and Canadian football, and the pitch clock used in baseball. This article deals chiefly with the shot clock used in basketball.
Stall tactics to limit big man George Mikan (#99) led to the shot clock's creation by the NBA.
The Shot Clock Monument in Syracuse, New York.
Close-up of Syracuse's Shot Clock Monument.
Image: 20130103 Mitch Mc Gary shot clock game clock (1)
