Baba Miller established a new career high, scoring 13 points without missing a field goal in a 133-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, MARCA reported.
The 2.11-meter Spanish forward shot 4-for-4 from the field, including one three-pointer, during 16 minutes off the bench for Los Angeles. The performance arrived amid a difficult stretch for the franchise, which holds a 2-8 record and remains winless on the road at 0-5.
Miller tied Rui Hachimura and Darius Garland for the team scoring lead against Phoenix, while adding cuatro rebotes and one tapón. Los Angeles outscored Phoenix by nine points during the minutes Miller was on the floor.
Phoenix built a 17-point lead by halftime and extended the margin to 91-59 late in the third quarter. The Suns converted 22 of 43 three-point attempts against the Clippers, who rank as the fourth-team in the West that allows the most points.
Jordan Goodwin led the Suns with 18 points in 14 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-for-7. Devin Booker added 17 points, and Luke Kennard contributed 14 points with three baskets from beyond the arc, while Jalen Green added 13 points with three baskets from the arc and Collin Gillespie scored 12 points with four three-pointers.
The scoring milestone follows Miller’s breakout performance during a 139-123 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, where the 22-year-old mallorquín recorded 12 points, five rebotes, four asistencias, two robos, and two tapones in 20 minutes according to SPORT. Papa Ababacar Bartolomé Niang Miller is the full name of the Spanish player.
Los Ángeles Clippers have started the league with many difficulties and significant absences in the team such as Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal. It is not easy to feel important there like he has been in University and in Spain.
“I liked his energy, his ability to create plays off the bounce, get to the rim, and defensively, switch on screens and adapt to different situations. He can do a little bit of everything,” Lue said.
Lue also wanted to highlight his ability to take advantage of the opportunity: “With Isaiah out and Brook in foul trouble, he was able to play a lot of minutes. He is learning during the season, but he did a great job.”
Earlier in November during a 116-117 overtime defeat to the Miami Heat, Miller earned attention by blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo and dunking over Bam Adebayo, Mundo Deportivo noted. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and Bam Adebayo scored 35 points to help the Heat start lifting their heads in the East after beginning with four defeats. That night featured a game-winning buzzer-beater by Klay Thompson, who finished with 30 points for Miami.
Veteran countrymen Alex Abrines and Rudy Fernández have maintained regular contact with the rookie. Fernández told the Diario de Mallorca that he follows the former NCAA forward’s progress closely, emphasizing the adjustment required when moving from college basketball to the professional ranks.
“I talk to him a lot and I like to see how he is growing as a player and a person, making a name for himself in the NBA which is not easy at all and taking advantage of the minutes they give him,” Fernández said, COPE reported.
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