Worth the replay?

Friday, November 21's games ranked by how good they turned out to be: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime. No scores, no winners, so you can decide what to watch without spoilers.

Best games of the season →
  1. #1
    TimberwolvesatSuns
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  2. #2
    SF AustinatPepperdine
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  3. #3
    Wake ForestatMemphis
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  4. #4
    Seattle UatStanford
    CBB· ACCNXDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  5. #5
    DenveratColorado St
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  6. #6
    West VirginiaatClemson
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  7. #7
    N ColoradoatSt Thomas
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  8. #8
    Trail BlazersatWarriors
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  9. #9
    NorthwesternatVirginia
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  10. #10
    GeorgiaatXavier
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  11. #11
    Kansas StatNebraska
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  12. #12
    UMassatCharleston
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  13. #13
    Mississippi StatNew Mexico
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  14. #14
    MD EasternatCanisius
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  15. #15
    PelicansatMavericks
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  16. #16
    CharlotteatApp State
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  17. #17
    Austin PeayatTulsa
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  18. #18
    NuggetsatRockets
    NBA· Prime VideoDown to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  19. #19
    CampbellatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  20. #20
    EvansvilleatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  21. #21
    HamptonatNorfolk St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  22. #22
    NetsatCeltics
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  23. #23
    BruinsatKings
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  24. #24
    OaklandatE Michigan
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  25. #25
    South AlabamaatUAB
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 50

  26. #26
    Montana StatLong Beach St
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 66 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  27. #27
    Florida StatNC State
    CFB· ESPN
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 69 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 49

  28. #28
    C ConnecticutatRutgers
    CBB· B1G+Big comeback
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 47

  29. #29
    SC UpstateatWest Georgia
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 45

  30. #30
    LSU N OrleansatFresno St
    CBB
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 59 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

Ranked from each game's win probability as it was played (ESPN's for football and basketball; ours, from the goals, for hockey): how in doubt it was near the end, how far the winner came back from, how late it was decided, how big its momentum swings were and how often a team erased a deficit, with a bonus for overtime. That drama is then weighted by how good a matchup it was going in (its pre-game Watchability score), so a thriller between top teams ranks above an equally wild game between minor ones.

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