Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Miller (13) reacts in the second half against the Knicks at the FedExForum. ( Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal)

Mike Miller has made a living off his three-point shooting. 

The former Gator hit seven buckets from beyond the arc in Miami’s championship-clinching win over Oklahoma City in 2012, and last year he made 11 of 12 long-range attempts in four of the Heat’s seven games against San Antonio. 

But he hasn’t delivered many daggers from downtown with Memphis this season. 

That changed Tuesday. 

Miller drained a 3-pointer with 45.9 seconds to give the Grizzlies a one-point lead they wouldn’t lose again in their 98-93 victory over New York. 

“We had a lapse, just a defensive lapse and it cost us,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson told The Commercial Appeal. “ I thought (Miller’s basket) was the biggest shot of the night.” 

He finished with season-highs in points (19) and 3-pointers made (5) on 7 of 11 shooting.  It was only the second time he’s attempted seven threes this year. 

Miller said he came in with the mindset to be more aggressive, and Memphis coach Dave Joerger recognized it. 

“We zipped the basketball around and Mike got it going,” Joerger said. “ I thought his aggressiveness early in the game was huge.” 

Point guard Mike Conley, who led the Grizzlies with 22 points, wasn’t surprised by Miller’s performance. 

“That’s what we got him for,” Conley told the Associated Press. “ He’s going to win us four or five, six games throughout the year himself, just from making big plays down the stretch.  Tonight was one of those games.” 

For Miller, it was just another day at the office. 

“I’ve been in a lot of these situations,” the veteran swingman said, “and I was able to make some shots when we needed them.” 

About This Blog

If Zach Abolverdi had a dollar for every time his last name was mispronounced … you just made him richer.  Born in Orlando but raised in Gainesville since 1990, he grew up around Florida football during the Steve Spurrier era.  He once threw a perfect spiral under Spurrier’s watchful eye at his summer camp.  The Head Ball Coach told him, “That’s a nice throw for a little man, but hold that ball by your ear.”  The 8-year-old gunslinger replied, “I already know how to throw a football.”  He didn’t appreciate the little man comment either.  Zach is a Hearst Award winner and graduate of the University of Florida.  He enjoys spending time with family, Denzel Washington movies and only about a dozen music artists, most of whom go by their real name.  College football, the NFL, March Madness and LeBron James provide his sports fix.