Mike Miller is Superman
Miller buzzer beating shot gave the Grizzlies a 4-0 record for the season
By Ronald Tillery
November 8, 2004
Grizzlies-107
Suns-106
Amare Stoudemire was held to only 3 pts in last night's game
This was a game where the players came out and did what they had to do. There was a tremendous amount of defense in the game along with alot of fastbreaks. The game was close throughout, and it took a game winning desperation shot from Mike Miller to put the icing on the cake.
In the 4th quarter, Mike Miller had one of the best crunch time performances you will probably ever hear about this season. He started off by nailing a three point shot, 5 feet from behind the arc to tie the game up at 84-84 at the start of the 4th quarter. Late in the 4th quarter, with 1:08 remaining in the game, he made a baseline jumper to tie the game at 101-101.
Shawn Marion stepped in for the Suns and made a key running lay-up with 55 secs to give the Suns a 103-101 advantage. The Grizzlies went back to Mike Miller as he was fouled by Jake Voskhul on a jump shot that sent him to the line. Miller made both FT's and tied the game back up once again at 103-103. Amare Stoudemire, who had an off-night missed a hook shot for the Suns with 29.6 secs remaining in the game. Joe Johnson fouled Mike Miller and he went to the line again to shoot two FT's. He made two more key FT"s to give the Grizzlies a 2 point advantage. Joe Johnson came down and made a clutch 3 point shot with 15.8 secs left to give the Suns a 106-105 lead. After that, it was all Mike Miller. The Grizzlies set up an isolation play for Miller with the clock running down. Gasol set a pick for him and he released a perfect jumpshot that rimmed out. Grizzlies center Erick Dampier was able to get 1 of his 5 offensive rebounds in the game with 2 seconds, and he passed it back out to Miller for him to shoot a desperation 18 foot jumper that went in as time expired.
Bonzi Wells and the Grizzlies we're celebrating after Miller's game winning shot.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the shot. I was standing from the bench and I think I ran 100 MPH just so I could jump on top of Mike and celebrate. It was crazy," Bonzi Wells said.
Grizzlies radio announcer Don Poier was one of the many that went off after Miller's game-winning shot. Here is a script of what Poier said during the play: "Miller who has been hot in the 4th quarter has the ball for the final shot. The Grizzlies set up an isolation play for him and Gasol sets a pick. Miller comes off the screen to shoot the open jumper and its no good! DAMPIER GETS THE OFF. REBOUND AND HE PASSES IT BACK OUT TO MILLER FOR THE GAME AND MILLER NAILS IT!!!!!!!!!!! WITH TIME EXPIRING!!! OH MY! OH MY! SOMEONE GET ME A BREATHING MACHINE!"
It was a great shot alright. The Phoenix crowd actually boo'ed their fellow team off the court as they we're frustrated along with the Phoenix players after that shot. "It's a terrible feeling and after we lost 4 straight, we had the chance to break that losing streak and we couldn't because of a lucky shot," Marion said.
The Grizzlies will face the Suns once again before they take their 3 day break after playing 5 games in 5 nights.
Team Stats
Suns
Points-106
Bench Scoring-25
Field Goals-45/86
3-Point-8/29
Free Throws-8/10
Rebounds-38
Blocks-5
Steals-2
Assists-26
Turnovers-9
Grizzlies
Points-107
Bench Scoring-29
Field Goals-42/98
3-Point-2/18
Free Throws-21/22
Rebounds-56
Blocks-6
Steals-4
Assists-22
Turnovers-6
Player Stats:
Suns
S. Nash-25 pts, 14 asts
S. Marion-21 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts
J. Johnson-20 pts, 4 rebs
L. Barbosa-17 pts, 8-10 FG
K. Clark-12 pts, 9 rebs
A. Stoudemire-3 pts, 10 rebs, 7 asts
Grizzlies
M. Miller-22 pts, 6 asts, game-winning shot
P. Gasol-19 pts, 12 rebs, 2 blks
E. Dampier-17 pts, 17 rebs, 6 asts, Player of the Game
J. Posey-12 pts, 2 rebs, 1 blk
B. Cardinal-11 pts
B. Wells-10 pts, 4 rebs
J. Williams-8 pts, 4 asts
S. Swift-6 pts, 5 rebs, 1 blk
B. Outlaw-9 rebs, 9 mins
_____________________________________________________________

Phoenix @ Memphis
November 8, 7:30 PM
Suns, 1-5; Grizzlies, 4-0.
5 Night Stand Ends Tonight
Grizzlies get to rest 3 days after tonight's game
If giving the Grizzlies rest will make them startl osing then the NBA should've added more games to their schedule. The Grizzlies are an amazing 4-0, after playing 4 games in 4 night.s Tonight will be the last back-to-back game for the Grizzlies as they play host to the Phoenix Suns. "Right now, I'm not thinking about rest. As a team, we need to win this last game then we can sit back and relax for a few days. We still have another game, so our minds shouldn't be on resting right now," PG Jason Williams said.
The Grizzlies come into tonight's game defeating the Suns last night in a thrilling game. Mike Miller's shot with time expiring was one of the best shots in Grizzlies history. "I just threw the ball up twoards the basket so I could get it off in time and it went in. It felt like my heart was about to jump out after the excitement of that shot," Miller said. Speaking of excitement and hearts popping out, Grizzlies radio announcer Don Poier was in complete shock after Miller made that shot. "That shot was just amazing and I tell you, if it happens again tonight, I would probably run out the arena naked," Poier said.
Let's hope that doesn't happen against Grizzlies ok? The Suns are looking to get a win in tonight's game after winning their season opener against the Hornets, then falling to 5 straight teams. The Sixers, Warriors, Bulls, Timberwolves and Grizzlies beat the Suns. "We have a great team on our hands, but we aren't connecting. We we're completely blown out in two of those games we lost which really put our spirits down. We didn't practice today because I felt we can get a little rest and hopefully put our minds back on track," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Key Matchup:
Amare Stoudemire vs. Pau Gasol
Gasol was able to pour in 19 pts, 12 rebs and 2 blks against Stoudemire, while Stoudemire was held to 3 pts, grabbed 10 rebs and dished out a season-high 6 asts. It will be interesting to see how Stoudemire reacts in tonight's rematch against Gasol. Pau should have his hands full.
Probable Starters:
Suns
C-Keon Clark- (1.7 BPG)
PF-Amare Stoudemire- (9.7 RPG)
SF-Shawn Marion- (17.0 PPG)
SG-Joe Johnson- (12.5 PPG)
PG-Steve Nash- (7.7 APG)
Grizzlies
C-Erick Dampier- (13.3 RPG)
PF-Pau Gasol- (1.3 BPG)
SF-James Posey- (16.5 PPG)
SG-Mike Miller- (16.5 PPG)
PG-Jason Williams- (5.5 APG)
-Ronald Tillery: 555-5555
Last edited by
-BHZMAFIA- on Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:31 am, edited 1 time in total.