Martin (John Mahoney) apologises to Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) saying, "Well, last October you said we would go to a game together, but I thought that was just a lot of talk." This refers to Episode 8.3 (The Bad Son (2000)) which aired the previous October. In that episode, Frasier tells Martin that he doesn't want him to move to the retirement home and says that he wants them to do more things together, including going to Sonics games.
As Niles watches the tape of his shot at McGinty's with Martin and his friends, he says, "I don't deny there was some luck involved, but as we all know, luck is the residue of design." The quotation "Luck is the residue of design" is originally attributed to poet John Milton, but it is best known for its use by Branch Rickey, the general manager of baseball's Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey signed Jackie Robinson as the first black player in the major leagues in 1947. He also created the framework for the modern minor league farm system, and he was among the first to require the use of a batting helmet.
The music accompanying Niles's half-court shot is "Sirius" by the The Alan Parsons Project, which is also the instrumental intro for the album "Eye in the Sky." It has long been used for player introductions for both NBA and NCAA basketball games.
This episode marks the second time Niles becomes a hero to Seattle SuperSonics fans. The first time occurred in Season 4 Episode 5 ("Head Game").
Soon after the Crane boys arrive at the game, a fan yells, "Come on, Baker, play some dee-fense!" The Seattle Supersonics actually had a player named Vin Baker during the 2000-01 season. He played forward.