Pretty amazing game, perhaps the best offensive game we have ever seen from a Blazer, stats wise for sure. Hats off to Miller. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=F5cRr
For the league as a whole, it's the 23rd time in 24 seasons (as far back as this database goes). Look at the fabulous names on the list alongside Miller who had at least 22 FGM. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=Qy1Ma ------------- The last time anyone had at least 22 FG, at most 1 3FG, and at least 52 points was 4 years ago, Iverson. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=Ke7mp
Miller's age is 33 years 317 days. Only 2 players on that last list were older. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=3kVF7
He also made his last 9 FG (including one 3-pointer) and 3 FT - he scored his final 22 points without missing a shot. The Blazers needed every one of them, and nobody Dallas put on him could stop him. BNM
Those stats also make you realize just how much Roy got to the line to get his 52 seeing that he's not on that list.
Roy shot 52% on 14 of 27 shooting with 21 free throw attempts and 5 treys. Miller shot 71% on 33 attempts, 8 FTAs, and only one 3.
Sort that list by FG% to see just how amazing Andre Miller's game was. It truly was a career-capping performance, (probably) the greatest achievement of a wily veteran. Because it really was the "Perfect Wily Veteran Performance"; his book of tricks was used from pages 1-256. No stone was left unturned, including the decoy play at the end.
Which may make it one of the most historically unique 50+ point games. I have no research on this, but my own impression is that every huge scoring game has featured either (if not both) a ton of threes or a ton of free throws. To get it almost entirely on two-point field goals and by shooting them at a ridiculously high clip seems very, very unusual.
When Kiki scored 48, he did it without making a single 3 (0-1). He was 10-13 from the line though, and 19-31 from the floor (not quite as good as Miller's 22-31. but not bad). I haven't been able to locate boxscores for Geoff Petrie's two 51-point games from 1973, but there were no 3-pointers in the NBA back then, and I don't remember Petrie as a guy who got to the line nearly as much s today's superstar guards. BNM
I remember Geoff as a jump shooter, one of the best long-ball shooters I've ever seen. I learned to shoot imitating him. No telling how many points he'd have scored if they'd had the three-ball back then. I really resented $amon breaking his record.
I think Jennings' 55 point game came mostly off of field goals and not free throws, right? Although he may have had quite a few threes. Too lazy to look it up.
Still the most amazing performance I've ever seen! 28 FG's! http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=260122013
