Bam

Adebayo

Herro shot the ball well and provided solid value in rebounds and assists, but the impact was muted in Miami’s 121-95 defeat. With Bam Adebayo (7/9/3/1 with one three-pointer) shooting 2-of-13 from the field, the Heat could have done with more Herro on the offensive end of the floor. Now trailing Toronto by three games and Philadelphia and Orlando by two in the loss column, the Heat have little margin for error if they’re to avoid the Play-In Tournament.

One would not blame the Wizards if they wondered where this version of Adebayo was when he torched them for 83 points on March 10. He attempted just six shots, as the Heat combined to finish one point shy of the franchise record for points in a game (153). The good news for fantasy managers was that Bam provided good value in rebounds and assists, even though his double-double streak ended at five games.

Adebayo extended his double-double streak to five games on Wednesday, with the 29 points being the most in a game for him since March 21. Shooting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, all that Bam’s line lacked was a blocked shot. While the Heat aren’t locked into the Play-In tournament yet, they risk being seeded ninth or tenth, which would require two wins to reach the playoffs as the 8-seed.

Adebayo only attempted 11 shots on Monday, but the ability to get to the foul line boosted his point total. The Heat center’s 13 free-throw attempts were the most in a game for him since March 12, the game after Bam went off for 83 points. Add in the rebounds and assists, and this was a nice start to Week 23 for Adebayo and those managing him in fantasy leagues.

The good news for fantasy managers is that Adebayo was active on the boards, as he grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds. However, with the Cavaliers getting Jarrett Allen back from a knee injury, Bam had a brutal night on offense. He shot 1-of-8 from three and wasn’t much better inside of the arc, shooting 2-of-6 from two. Sunday’s matchup with the Pacers sets up to be more manageable for Adebayo and the Heat, at least on paper.

Adebayo was 5-of-10 from the field if you remove his ugly 1-of-9 from behind the three-point line. Otherwise it was an excellent game for the 28-year-old center in a tough matchup against the Cavaliers’ frontline. Adebayo has provided top-75 per game value over the last two weeks. The Heat have two more games this week with a rematch against the Cavaliers set for Friday.

As has been the case for most players Victor Wembanyama has defended this season, Adebayo struggled on Monday. Ten of his 17 shot attempts came from beyond the arc, with the Heat center making two. And the three rebounds were the fewest Adebayo has recorded in a game since November 5, when he had one in a game that he was forced to leave early due to injury. The good news for Adebayo managers is that Miami plays three more games in Week 22, starting with the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Adebayo has recorded double-doubles in each of the two games he’s played since returning from a calf injury that sidelined him on Tuesday. The Heat center matched his career-high with 21 rebounds and recorded the first 30/20 game of his NBA career. Add in the assists, steals and percentages, and this was an excellent end to Week 21 for Adebayo. The Heat begin a four-game Week 22 on Monday against the Spurs.

Following a one-game absence with a calf injury, Adebayo was back in the lineup for this game. He was able to extend his streak of 20-point games to 10, with the historic 83-point outing in the middle of the streak. Though the Heat have lost three straight, Adebayo has been productive lately, and he has contributed more steals and blocks than he typically does, which has inflated his category league impact. He’ll look to stay hot in Houston on Saturday to wrap up the week.

Adebayo missed Tuesday’s game but was initially listed as probable for this one. Now, he’ll officially be available. Kel’el Ware will likely head to the bench with Norman Powell and Tyler Herro both healthy as well.