Bam Adebayo’s form key to Heat success against Celtics
When Bam is scoring as he has been, it adds another layer of production to the Miami offense.
NBA star Bam Adebayo is the key to the Miami Heat’s early success against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Miami Heat have taken a surprising 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning the first two games on the road against the Boston Celtics.
Jimmy Butler has been all over the headlines for valid reasons, but the play of Bam Adebayo in this series could be the key to a possible NBA Finals berth for the Heat.
Bam Adebayo has been one of the best centers in the NBA for a couple of seasons now, and defensively, (whether regular season or playoffs) his presence has never been in question. The 4-All-Defensive player can guard 1-5 comfortably, which is something not many in the NBA can say.
Offensively in the regular season, he’s gradually gotten better over the years; this season averaging a career-high 20 points per game. But prior to these playoffs, his scoring aggression in the playoffs was wildly inconsistent. In the 2023 playoffs though, and especially against the Celtics, Adebayo’s offensive play has been exactly what the Heat have needed from him.
In these playoffs, Adebayo is averaging a playoff career-high 18.5 points per game. And vs. Boston, he’s averaging 21 points per contest. The way the Celtics are guarding Bam is pretty straightforward. Bam is an excellent passer as a big man, and he regularly makes the right read to find open shooters.
Boston can’t afford to let these shooters get hot (they still have anyway) so they leave Bam to play 1-on-1 vs. one of their bigs.
For the Celtics, since Adebayo has had mixed results previously scoring the ball in big games, the C’s will take their chances. They’re banking on Bam to be not so effective. But if he continues to take advantage of the 1-on-1 opportunities, it’ll make Boston think twice about their coverage. So far, Bam has been punishing the way the Celtics are guarding him.
Adebayo has been showing off his midrange, he’s been aggressive driving to the rim, and his smooth hands have been a key to exploiting the C’s defense. Whether it’s 1-on-1 vs. Al Horford, or receiving a pass from Jimmy, Bam has been ready to score the ball.
When Bam is scoring as he has been, it adds another layer of production to the Miami offense. And if he continues this offensive prowess, next to Jimmy Butler, it could be the key to the Heat securing their second NBA Finals berth in four years.
