Chart: Maya Moore's buzzer-beater mirrored MJ's

October 11, 2015 at 5:33AM
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) makes the game winning three point shot at the buzzer during the fourth quarter. ] KYNDELL HARKNESS kyndell.harkness@startribune.com / BACKGROUND INFORMATION: During game three of the WNBA Finals at Bankers Life Field House in Indianapolis on Friday, October 9, 2015.
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) makes the game winning three point shot at the buzzer during the fourth quarter. ] KYNDELL HARKNESS kyndell.harkness@startribune.com / BACKGROUND INFORMATION: During game three of the WNBA Finals at Bankers Life Field House in Indianapolis on Friday, October 9, 2015. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

One famous No. 23 (Maya Moore) mirrored another famous No. 23 (Michael Jordan) when she made the winning basket in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night. Notice:

• They both create open looks, even though everyone knows they are getting the ball.

• The righthanded release at the top of the jump shot.

• The squared-up shoulders and the concentration on the basket.

• The absolute calm despite the precious ticks remaining.

• The flailing and helpless defender (sorry, Marissa Coleman; sorry, Bryon Russell).

• The crowd awaiting the inevitable.

More about the Jordan photo: Taken from Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, when his buzzer-beater gave the Chicago Bulls an 84-82 win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

The Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan puts up the game-winning shot over Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell, right, to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals 84-82 Sunday, June 1, 1997, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell ) ORG XMIT: CXA121
The Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan puts up the game-winning shot over Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell, right, to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals 84-82 Sunday, June 1, 1997, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell ) ORG XMIT: CXA121 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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