The Miami Heat needed big man Bam Adebayo on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Jimmy Butler was absent after an unfortunate death in the family, while Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson were injured.
Adebayo has been notified. He led the Fever with another outstanding performance, scoring 16 points on 8-for-14 shooting, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals in 31 minutes of play. Thanks to Bam’s heroics, the Fever destroyed the Bucks 123:97.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra reacts to Bam Adebayo’s heroics against the Milwaukee Bucks:
After the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra pointed out that Adebayo’s effort contributed to Miami’s big win. It was another versatile performance from the 206 cm big man, who is on his way to his fourth All-Star Game appearance representing the Heat.
“Bam was very important for us,” Spoelstra said, as summed up by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “The playmaking, the baskets we got off his passes were key.”
As always, Adebayo was quick to downplay his big performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company:
“It was just in the flow of the game, just reading the game,” he said.
The Fever took on the Philadelphia 76ers again on Wednesday without Joel Embiid. Adebayo again had a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead Miami to a 109-104 victory in Philadelphia.
Team effort:
Adebayo wasn’t the only one who showed more power on Tuesday night against the Bucks. He also got a lot of help from his teammates, including 24 points from second-team Nikola Jovic. After Jovic hit 5 of 8 shots from distance, Coach Spo had to praise the youngster:
“Niko was very good,” Spoelstra said. “Points that everyone will notice, but he created more inertia for our team in transition.”
Duncan Robinson wasn’t bad either, scoring 23 points with six threes. However, he also had to give Jovic his flowers:
“I thought he completely changed the game today with his pace,” Robinson said.
As always, the future is still bright for the Heat.