Worth the replay?

Saturday, March 14'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
    NuggetsatLakers
    NBA· ABCOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  2. #2
    PennatHarvard
    CBB· ESPNEWSOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  3. #3
    DaytonatSaint Louis
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 73

  4. #4
    CA BaptistatUtah Valley
    CBB· ESPN2Down 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

  5. #5
    ToledoatAkron
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  6. #6
    BruinsatCapitals
    NHL· ABCOvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  7. #7
    KingsatClippers
    NBA· ESPNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  8. #8
    KingsatDevils
    NHL· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    WisconsinatMichigan
    CBB· CBSDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  10. #10
    Hawai'iatUC Irvine
    CBB· ESPN2Back and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  11. #11
    Ole MissatArkansas
    CBB· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  12. #12
    VermontatUMBC
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  13. #13
    Maple LeafsatSabres
    NHL· NHL NetOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  14. #14
    Red WingsatStars
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  15. #15
    HoustonatArizona
    CBB· ESPN
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  16. #16
    VirginiaatDuke
    CBB· ESPNDown to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  17. #17
    PenguinsatMammoth
    NHL· ESPN+
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

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

  18. #18
    MagicatHeat
    NBA
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  19. #19
    PurdueatUCLA
    CBB· CBSDown to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  20. #20
    Prairie ViewatSouthern
    CBB· ESPNU
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  21. #21
    Blue JacketsatFlyers
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  22. #22
    San Diego StatUtah State
    CBB· CBS
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  23. #23
    Netsat76ers
    NBADown to the wire
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  24. #24
    SharksatCanadiens
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  25. #25
    HurricanesatLightning
    NHL· ESPN+
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 39

  26. #26
    TulsaatWichita St
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  27. #27
    CornellatYale
    CBB· ESPNU
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  28. #28
    Kennesaw StatLouisiana Tech
    CBB· CBSSN
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  29. #29
    VanderbiltatFlorida
    CBB· ESPN
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  30. #30
    FlamesatIslanders
    NHL· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 19

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.

Get the weekend's best games every Friday

The most watchable games across every sport, what's at stake in the playoff races, and last week's best games, spoiler-free. Free, one email a week.

Sports you care about