LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 19: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bam Adebayo insists that his shoulder and wrist are fine.
The Miami Heat pulled out another win in pulse-pounding fashion last night, as a career game from Tyler Herro pushed them past the Boston Celtics in Game 4 and helped them gain a 3-1 advantage. Herro and Jimmy Butler will get most of the credit, but Bam Adebayo’s contributions on the interior have been just as valuable. Heat fans know the type of player he can be, which is why the former Kentucky player grabbing his shoulder and grimacing during Game 4 was such an alarming sight.
Luckily, despite concern that what happened yesterday was a sign of something more serious, Adebayo claimed that both his shoulder and wrist are “good“, implying that he’ll be available when the Heat play Game 5 on Friday.
Bam Adebayo was again a critical member of a Heat victory
Adebayo has been the main presence inside for a Miami team that often is propelled by standout guard play. In these playoffs, Adebayo is averaging 17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, all of which are improvements upon an already impressive third season.
His interior defense was the defining story of the first game in this series, as his block on Jayson Tatum stands out as one of the truly great defensive plays in NBA playoff history. He also made his presence felt on the offensive end last night, as he piled up 20 points while snatching 12 rebounds in the nail-biting victory.
Adebayo might be the most important non-Butler player on this team given the responsibility Spoelstra puts on him on the interior. While he might not be at full strength going into Game 5, at least Miami can count on Bam being out there as they try to propel themselves into the NBA Finals.