Chauncey Billups has always been a clutch free throw shooter, the type of ice in the blood, never lose your cool, want that player with the ball and the game on the line sort of player. You know if the game is on the line that Chauncey is going to win it for you.

Denver Nuggets 90 Chicago Bulls 89

Have you seen how Billups shoots his free throws? There is very little movement in his legs at all. Aren’t we taught to bend at the knees and slowly come up and the release is at the end of the shot? Not so for Chauncey as he doesn’t seem to put any legs into his free throws at all, they just seem effortless and always seem to go in no matter how much pressure is on him at the time.

This time it was Chauncey beating the Bulls, but his shot did not win the game until the referees got together and looked at the film of Brad Miller’s last second shot. The odd thing was that just before Brad shot his three pointer, Chauncey purposely missed his second free throw to run the clock out in order to win the game. You can check it out in the YouTube below.

After nearly four minutes, the surprising call was made — the Nuggets had defeated the Bulls 90-89 at the United Center, by a fingertip.

It was the basketball equivalent to winning by a nose. Chicago’s Brad Miller launched a jumper at the buzzer Tuesday night. The initial ruling was that the basket was good and the Bulls celebrated like they had won a playoff series. Then the officials ruled that the ball hadn’t completely left Miller’s hands when time expired, and Denver stole a big road victory.

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You can watch the final shot here on YouTube.

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With a minute left in the 4th quarter and the scored tied, Derrick Rose took Rajon Rondo to the hole and drew a suspect foul, but it was not a shooting foul. On the ensuing play, Derrick Rose slipped going to his left and the ball rolled out of bounds. Interesting, the Bulls go to their rookie point guard with the game on the line.

A blurb on the TV showed that there had been 80 lead changes in the 5 game series. 3 of these games have gone to overtime.

Rajon misses after Marbury turns down a shot and Ben Gordon shoots an afterthought jumper at the other end for the lead.

Paul Pierce goes one on one and shoots a turnaround jumper at the foul line to tie it up.

Pierce and Allen try to carry on without Garnett

Chicago goes to Gordon to win the game and he misses a step back jumper. Odd shot selection.

We go to OT. Paul Pierce knocks down a step back jumper from the right side of the top of the key to give the Celtics a three point lead with 36 seconds left.

Will the Bulls go for the 2 for 1? Yes, Ben Gordon forces a 3 on a quick shot and Tony Allen fouls him. Bad foul.

Gordon makes the first, the second, and the third. Tie score. Time out Boston with 27 seconds left.

Will Boston go to Paul Pierce one last time? Yes, Paul Pierce makes a face up jumper just inside the free throw line, right side of the top of the key. The defense by Salmons was good, but Pierce was better. 3.4 seconds left.

One more chance for Ben Gordon? What an incredible play as Miller sets a high screen for the sideline out of bounds play. The defenders go with Ben Gordon rounding the pick and leave Miller wide open. He takes the ball at the top of the key and drives slowly, oh so slowly to the hole. Rondo hits him in the mouth for a foul and Miller air balls.

Miller stops the blood, but bricks the first free throw. Celtics by two with 2 seconds to go. Miller misses on purpose on the second free throw, but misses rim. Ball to Boston. Game to Boston.

Chicago fouls Pierce on the inbounds. He misses a free throw. 1.3 seconds left. He hits rim and that is the game.
Photo source Newscom

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Brad Miller to New York?

Mike D’Antoni has got it going on. The Knicks have been cleaning house and adding new players to fit the D’Antoni system.

The latest trade rumor, as reported by Eric Pincus of the most excellent hoop site Hoopsworld, has Sacramento trading Brad Miller for Stephon Marbury.

While this has yet to be confirmed, the Kings might be an ideal suitor for exiled point guard Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks.

In addition to bolstering one of the Kings’ weaker positions, a Marbury trade could provide Sacramento with enormous salary cap flexibility this summer.

The Knicks would prefer to trade Stephon and are looking for players with two-year deals to field a somewhat competitive roster for the 2009/10 season – but more importantly have as much cap space as possible to go shopping for a banner crop of free agents.

Miller’s passing ability and face up game would be a nice fit in Coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks would be able to cash out a disgruntled player for a very workable center.

Based on simple economics – can the Kings even refuse an offer of Marbury for Kenny Thomas and Miller?

Thomas has been languishing on the Kings bench for years. His contract finally runs out conveniently before the summer of 2010.

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Last week against the Pistons, with Rasheed Wallace on the bench, Brad Miller manhandled the Pistons. He is for real and still has a lot of hoops left in him.

Photo source Newscom

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