3 Miami Heat players whose stock is rising, 1 star whose is falling

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.