Heat center Bam Adebayo (neck injury) said he planned to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, got listed as doubtful then missed the game.
So, it seems encouraging he’s being called questionable in advance of Game 4.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press:
Miami center Bam Adebayo has been upgraded to questionable for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 5, 2020
This doesn’t mean Adebayo will play. Questionable is questionable. But I’d be surprised if the Heat upgraded Adebayo’s status – raising expectations – without believing he’ll play.
Adebayo would be a big defensive upgrade against Anthony Davis. Davis stumbled in Game 3, but Miami packed the paint, leaving open shooters. The Lakers might make the Heat pay next time. Davis is also good enough to excel against that strategy, anyway. He won’t always get thrown off by early foul trouble.
Miami found success offensively by stretching the floor with Meyers Leonard and Kelly Olynyk at center. That’s not Adebayo’s game. If Adebayo returns, Erik Spoelstra must balance Adebayo’s talent with the strategy that has most flummoxed the big Lakers.
Goran Dragic also remains hurt. But with Jimmy Butler stepping up, the Heat don’t miss the skilled guard quite as much as they do Adebayo.