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Mike Conley, Dwyane Wade Swap Jerseys Following Memphis Grizzlies’ Road Loss

ByChristian Dudley|
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies exchange jerseys after the game on January 12, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies exchange jerseys after the game on January 12, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Though Mike Conley’s fourth quarter offensive explosion was not enough to secure a win for his Memphis Grizzlies, he received a consolation prize from Dwyane Wade.

Mike Conley was determined in the fourth quarter versus Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Saturday. The Memphis Grizzlies‘ guard was looking to be aggressive, even while being neglected by the officiating crew.

Eight of Memphis’ 25 fourth quarter points derived from Conley, who has lived up to the nickname of “Captain Clutch” when it comes to providing a boost for his team in final quarters this season.

Though the Memphis Grizzlies dropped to 19-23 with the road loss in Miami, Mike Conley did not allow a four-point loss to both spoil his entire evening. In fact, No. 11 was so focused on one particular thing that he was not upset with his 80-foot heave (that somehow banked in!) being waved off.

Conley wanted to be the guy to get Dwyane Wade’s jersey after the game. Who could blame him? Wade is an NBA legend, and it is a guard in which Mike has faced ever since No. 11’s entrance into the league in 2007. View the special moment directly below:

Wade’s swapping of jerseys with a member of the Miami Heat’s nightly opponent is something that has become a consistent trend this season. Saturday marked the final time that The Memphis Grizzlies fill face Dwyane Wade prior to his retirement from the NBA, unless Memphis and Miami miraculously face off in an NBA Finals duel.

Mike Conley and Dwyane Wade have something in common. You could say that they have equal meaning to their respective teams’ cities. Though Wade is a 12-time NBA All-Star and Conley has yet to receive such high honor, both guys have carried their squads for more than a decade apiece.

Dwyane Wade has played with two other clubs in short stints prior to returning to a Miami Heat uniform, but he will forever be remembered for his contributions in South Beach.

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Imagine if Mike Conley and the Memphis Grizzlies would ever part ways via trade or NBA Free-Agency. Regardless of a split, he would be a Grizzly for life. It is because of the type of impact he has had with the city of Memphis, and not just leading in so many statistical categories in Grizz record books. That emulates the significance of D-Wade with the Heat.

The NBA is a brotherhood, and even though an 0-2 season series result hurts the Grizzlies — especially since Hassan Whiteside was absent from Saturday’s contest — it was special to see Conley and Wade pay their respects to one another immediately after the final buzzer.

Mike Conley finished the match with 22 points (7/15 shooting), two rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for the Memphis Grizzlies. For the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade contributed 10 points (4/11 shooting), three rebounds, five assists, and one block in 25 minutes off the bench.

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