I root for good pictures.

Kendrick Perkins (5) celebrates along with fans and head coach Scott Brooks, right, after Kevin Durant (35), left, hit the game-winning shot as time expired in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 104-102. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

I’m often asked when photographing sports who I’m rooting for. I always give the same selfish answer, “I’m rooting for good pictures.” It’s nice to see the local teams I cover do well because it’s good for our community and our business here at The Oklahoman and NewsOK, but what I really want are exciting plays that make compelling pictures.

Last night’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks put me through the typical thought process I have during a close game that would probably seem completely foreign to most sports fans. With 1.4 seconds left, Vince Carter hit shot to give the Mavericks the lead. At this point, things looked grim for the Thunder and fans were probably not feeling too great about the team’s chances, but I felt good because I had a nice shot of the Mavericks celebrating. If the Thunder go on to lose, I’ve made a compelling picture of the key moment of the game. If Oklahoma City pulls out a win, I’ve got a chance for more exciting photos.

Vince Carter (25) and Jason Terry (31), right, of Dallas celebrate a shot by Carter with 1.4 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 102-101 lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Kevin Durant hit a shot as time expired to give Oklahoma City a 104-102 win. In the background is Jason Kidd. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Kevin Durant’s buzzer beater made the above photograph worthless for the next day’s paper, but provided some nice reaction too.