Yes, Darius Miles played for the Grizzlies on Friday night in the Grizzlies' 10-point loss to Utah in Memphis. And that means the $18 million he's owed on a contract with the Trail Blazers will count against the Blazers' salary cap. The Blazers now become a luxury-tax payer and have to limit their future free-agent spending.
Miles couldn't care less. He's on a 10-day contract and he has to impress Grizzlies coaches. Again, after his 13 points in 13 minutes against the Cavs on Tuesday, Miles had 10 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes. "I'm so used to being a No. 1 or No. 2 option I've had to change and become a role player," Miles said.
The Grizzlies must decide after their game Monday with Detroit whether to offer Miles another 10-day contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent, giving him the ability to sign with any team after that game. Miles said he wants to stick with the Grizzlies and he's happy with his progress.
"I want to get re-established in this league, get on a team and be a factor," Miles said. "I want to have a place to call home. I want to play for the next two or three years."
He's showing he can play, looking bigger and stronger than he used to be before the injuries.
"It wouldn't hurt to lose a few more pounds, but the pounds are good because I don't get beat up as much," Miles said. "I'm strong enough to take it. It's not like I'm fat. It's just that I'm bigger now. But I can still play to my ability."
JAZZ 101, GRIZZLIES 91: The Grizzlies cut a 20-point Jazz lead to six and five points in the last two minutes in Friday's game at FedExForum, but both times, Jazz guard Deron Williams answered with a two-point dagger and a three-point rally killer, respectively, to hand Memphis its fifth straight loss. Grizzlies star Rudy Gay got in foul trouble and never got going, scoring just five points on five field-goal attempts. Only a 23-point effort by rookie guard O.J. Mayo, mixed with forward Hakim Warrick's inspired play off the bench in the fourth quarter, gave the Grizzlies a chance in the end.
