The Miami Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets 122-112 on Wednesday night, but that isn't the headline to emerge from the game for Heat fans. Bam Adebayo left the game in the first quarter with a foot injury, and he is slated to get an MRI that will reveal the extent of the damage.
There is no telling how long Adebayo is going to be out, but Wednesday night gave a glimpse into a world Heat fans would rather not think about if Adebayo is going to be out for any extended period of time.
Miami gets mauled on the glass by Denver
Even with Adebayo out, the Heat were able to do some things defensivley against Devner. They were pesky around the ball and forced 13 steals on the night. Miami was able to catch Denver napping in spots to manufacture some fast-break chances.
The Heat also did a decent job of contesting shots and actually outshot Denver 44.2% to 42.6%, including holding the Nuggets to 11-40 from three.
But what doomed the Heat, and what they had zero answers for once Adebayo went out, was rebounding. The Nuggets had 21 offensive rebounds on the night to Miami's five, and it's not shocking that Denver outscored Miami 62-42 in points in the paint.
Kel'el Ware wound up with 13 rebounds, but even then, there are some he would probably like that. The deeper problem is that no one else for Miami seemed interested in rebounding. Andrew Wiggins had the second most with four total rebounds.
No easy answers
Even before Adebayo's injury, there are arguments to be made that Miami could benefit from another big man on the roster. Nikola Jovic hasn't evolved and is just a spot-up shooter, and Precious Achiuwa's preseason was so bad that he got sent packing to Sacramento.
Keshad Johnson was thrust into nine minutes on Wednesday, and at times was given the task of guarding Nikola Jokic, and it went about as poorly as one would expect. Johnson had zero points on 0/4 shooting.
The only immediate solution the Heat have is to call up UDFA Vladislav Goldin from the G-League, who had a couple of decent games during Summer League but was otherwise a non-factor during the preseason.
Because even if the Heat get Tyler Herro back in the near future, Miami is going to be helpless if Adebayo misses extended time, because there just isn't anyone else to go get a rebound.
Miami can get all the stops they want, but if they can't get the rebound, it won't matter.