The Miami Heat have had an up and down season so far and it’s not entirely their fault. Miami was dealing with a lot of injuries in the first month or so of the season. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has used nine different players in the starting lineup this season. One player who has been extremely reliable for the Heat this season is star center Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo is having another solid season for the Heat so far. He is averaging the highest points per game (21.2) and minutes per game (35.1). Adebayo led all scorers with 31 points in the teams 115-110 win over the Clippers last night. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. The three-time All-Defensive player is a traditional center who doesn’t shoot from deep. Miami has plenty of other weapons on the team that can be deadly three-point shooters.
NBA betting sites have the Heat at (+3300) to win the Finals this season.
Bam Adebayo in the last 7 games:
26.9 ppg
9.0 RPG
3.1 APG
59% FG
89% FT pic.twitter.com/HlBajbRT7z— The Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 9, 2022
Bam Adebayo ‘adjusts to new defensive plans’ for Miami
Bam Adebayo is the Heat’s most reliable scoring option this season. Jimmy Butler is averaging 21.3 points per game, but has missed eight games this season. Adebayo is starting to get used to the defensive pressure that top scoring options get on a nightly basis. Head coach Erik Spoelstra talked about how his teams rely on him for every game.
I think it’s similar to what Tyler does and the evolution of teams trying to scheme against him, … “You have to go into it understanding that every team might have a different plan, but they’re going to be consistent. I’m going to try to push you out of your comfort zone.” Now, we’re starting to see the same thing with Bam… that’s going to be part of the evolution. – Erik Spoelstra
Spoelstra said the team has iPads on the bench so it can break down other teams’ defenses during the game. Adebayo has shown great improvement in being able to pass outside of double teams and set up other teammates to create scoring opportunities.
“Just going through the doubles [team]”… “I feel like that’s the biggest thing when you put those two balls on. I feel like it’s going to pass easily.” – Bam Adebayo
Miami’s next game is Saturday at 5:00 p.m., when they host the San Antonio Spurs, a team that is struggling to find wins.
