Worth the replay?

Sunday, January 11'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
    76ersatRaptors
    NBAOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    NorthwesternatRutgers
    CBB· PeacockOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    NetsatGrizzlies
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  4. #4
    UABatEast Carolina
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    Blue JacketsatMammoth
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

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

  6. #6
    PelicansatMagic
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  7. #7
    QuinnipiacatSacred Heart
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    SpursatTimberwolves
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  9. #9
    BillsatJaguars
    NFL· CBSDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  10. #10
    RocketsatKings
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  11. #11
    CincinnatiatUCF
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  12. #12
    IU IndyatMilwaukee
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  13. #13
    49ersatEagles
    NFL· FoxDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  14. #14
    Purdue FWatRobert Morris
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  15. #15
    Saint Joseph'satRichmond
    CBB· USA NetDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  16. #16
    BucksatNuggets
    NBA
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  17. #17
    CharlotteatRice
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    KnicksatTrail Blazers
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  19. #19
    Ohio StateatWashington
    CBB· Peacock
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  20. #20
    N KentuckyatGreen Bay
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 51

  21. #21
    SienaatMount St Marys
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  22. #22
    DevilsatJets
    NHL· NHL NetBack and forth
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 41

  23. #23
    CapitalsatPredators
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 36

  24. #24
    HawksatWarriors
    NBABack and forth
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 33

  25. #25
    NiagaraatManhattan
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  26. #26
    HeatatThunder
    NBABack and forth
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 25

  27. #27
    MemphisatFAU
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 31 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 23

  28. #28
    IllinoisatIowa
    CBB· Fox
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 23

  29. #29
    PenguinsatBruins
    NHL· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  30. #30
    ChargersatPatriots
    NFL· NBC/PeacockOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

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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