Miller records first triple-double for Grizzlies since Vancouver

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Mike Miller never had a triple-double in

his basketball career, and no Grizzlies player had one since the

team left Vancouver.

Both streaks ended Tuesday night, as the Grizzlies guard had 21

points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Memphis to a 99-85

victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Miller, who came off the bench, was 8-of-16 from the field,

including 4-of-9 from outside the arc. Running the point at times,

he grabbed his 10th rebound with just over a minute left, drawing a

roar from the home crowd.

It marked the first time a reserve has recorded a triple-double

since Shawn Bradley accomplished the feat in April 1998, according

to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Miller, who is nursing a sore left foot, said he was unaware the

mark was within reach until he got his eighth rebound. Then

teammates started reminding him.

"Those were the hardest two rebounds I've ever had to get,"

Miller said. "It felt really good once I got that final rebound.

I've been close a few times, but tonight I was fortunate that my

teammates like Shane (Battier) and Bobby (Jackson) were able to

knock down shots when I dished it back out. That definitely helps

your chances at getting a triple-double."

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 27 points, going 12-of-18 from the

field, while Hakim Warrick notched career highs with 16 points and

eight rebounds off the bench. Battier and Jackson each scored 15

for Memphis.

Mike Bibby, held to five points on 1-of-10 shooting in

Sacramento's loss to Indiana on Sunday, had 26 points and eight

assists. Peja Stojakovic scored 19 points for the Kings, who lost

their second straight, while Kenny Thomas scored 14 of his 16

points in the first half and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Sacramento coach Rick Adelman blamed poor defense for Miller

getting open for shots. The Kings knew the shooting guard would get

some open looks, just not that many.

"We left him when we weren't supposed to leave him," Adelman

said. "We got off him when we weren't supposed to get off him. The

things we were not going to do, we did."

Memphis built its lead with a run that started late in the first

half and extended into third period. With their defense leading to

transition baskets, the Grizzlies erased a 15-point deficit and

built an 11-point advantage.

Miller keyed the rally, which got an unexpected spark from

Warrick. Several dunks off rebounds and drives gave the rookie from

Syracuse his career high through three quarters.

"He was key to us," Gasol said. "He really came in with a lot

of energy and finishing hard and going to the offensive boards. I

think he really helped us turn that switch on and step up and get

that energy going."

For Warrick, it was a matter of letting the defense collapse on

Gasol, then going somewhere else around the basket and waiting for

a pass.

"When you've got four or five guys around Pau, my job is to

just go there, find an open spot and just finish," Warrick said.

"There's really not much to it."

Sacramento cut Memphis' lead to 81-75 on a 3-pointer by

Stojakovic. But another dunk by Warrick, this coming on Miller's

10th assist, built the Grizzlies' lead to 91-78 with just under 5

minutes left, and the lead never went below double digits again.

The Kings jumped to an early lead, controlling the boards and

holding Memphis to a poor shooting performance. Thomas had 14

points in the first quarter, missing only one of his six shots from

the field.

The Kings continued their domination through the middle stages

of the half and built the lead to 46-31 with 5:30 left in the half.

But Memphis closed the second quarter with a 21-5 run, including

eight points by Miller in the final 1:34, to take a 52-51 lead at

the half. The Grizzlies were 15-of-22 in the period.

Game notes
Kings G/F Bonzi Wells, who spent a tumultuous 1½ seasons

with the Grizzlies before an offseason trade to Sacramento, didn't

face his old teammates. He missed his eighth game with a partial

right groin tear. Wells did make the trip to Memphis. ... Memphis G

Jackson, who made his reputation as a reserve in Sacramento,

started his fourth straight game at the point, replacing Damon

Stoudamire, who has had season-ending knee surgery. Memphis is 4-1

with Jackson starting. ...The Kings wore their gold uniforms, one

of 14 times they will go with the color scheme, including 12 times

on the road. Sacramento is 3-2 in the gold. ... Kings F Corliss

Williamson, who was not with the team in Sunday's loss to

Indianapolis "for personal reasons," returned to action. ...

Bibby was the last Grizzlies player to record a triple-double with

14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Dallas on April 2,

2000. ... Memphis G Eddie Jones tied a team mark with seven steals.