Faller: Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo’s recent struggles have as much to do with the Heat’s three-game skid as anything. In losses to the Mavericks, Thunder and Wizards, Adebayo averaged 11.7 points on 35% shooting.
Even with Rozier and Jaquez playing well, the Heat need more from Adebayo with Herro sidelined.
To be fair, there is a lot on Adebayo’s plate. He’s tasked with captaining the team, anchoring Miami’s multiple-scheme defense, getting teammates involved on offense, setting screens, rebounding and – if that wasn’t enough of a workload – scoring 20 points a game.
He looks tired. Some of those other duties are starting to become too much, too.
Adebayo got beat on a blowby by Deni Avdija on Sunday. You don’t see this happen to 13 very often, and certainly (with all due respect) not by a player like Avdija.
Adebayo has missed nine of his last 18 free throws – another indicator of fatigue.
Adebayo and the Heat had played five games in seven nights, mostly on the road, before Sunday’s collapse. They get a two-day break between games before hosting the Nuggets on Wednesday night. It might be Miami’s last chance to make a statement before the playoffs. Adebayo will need to be in tip-top shape.