Miami Heat's starting centre Bam Adebayo is learning to adjust to the game-plans of his opponents.
Miami Heat’s starting centre Bam Adebayo is learning to adjust to the game-plans of his opponents. Adebayo averaged career highs in points (20.7 per game) and field goal attempts (15.1 per game) as he entered his sixth NBA season determined to assume a larger scoring role within the Heat’s offence. But as opponents have begun to surround him whenever he receives the ball close to or inside the paint, his efficiency and scoring numbers have fallen.
According to coach Erik Spoelstra, this is a component of being game-planned against, and Adebayo must rule the pauses while the defences relax. As he tries to adjust to the adjustments teams have made against him, Adebayo has focused on taking advantage of transition opportunities before opponents can set up their half-court defence. Adebayo’s best move in a half-court situation, when teams send extra defenders into the paint, is typically to find the open three-point shooter on the weak side of the action rather than forcing up a contested pull-up jumper or driving into traffic.
Udonis Haslem, a 20-year Heat veteran, and Adebayo have gone over film together in an effort to figure out this new coverage that teams are now consistently throwing at him. While the weak-side defence is fixated on their opponent, Haslem is attempting to teach him how to score in transition and set screens in transition. Adebayo will be able to score easily in transition if they do this, and they will be able to make a few baskets before transitioning to their half-court offence.
It’s challenging for one of the Heat’s key offensive players to maintain the proper balance between being aggressive enough to make the right pass when several defenders are rushing at him and still being able to make enough shots. According to Haslem, Adebayo’s focus in every game will be on balance. It’s a pass-to-shot ratio.
Adebayo doesn’t mind passing to a shooter if the defensive coverage demands it, but he acknowledges that he occasionally resorts to forcing shots in these circumstances because he gets “caught up in trying to figure out ways to score and sometimes you might shoot it just to get a rhythm.” Adebayo will continue to watch film until he finds consistent counters. The Heat will play the Washington Wizards on Friday at Capital One Arena to finish its final back-to-back of the year.
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The NBA injury report for April 6, 2023 lists a number of well-known players as questionable for their upcoming games. The Denver Nuggets’ MVP-winning centre Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable for his team’s game against the Houston Rockets due to a sore ankle. With a game average of 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, Jokic has been a tremendous force this year. In order for him to take part, the Nuggets will be hoping.
Bam Adebayo, the starting centre for the Miami Heat, is doubtful for their matchup with the Charlotte Hornets because of a sore knee. This season, Adebayo has been a major contributor for the Heat, averaging 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. The Heat will be depending on Adebayo to be ready for the game if they want to advance in the playoff standings.
A sore ankle will likely prevent Heat veteran point guard Kyle Lowry from playing in that contest. Lowry has been a valuable member of the Heat this year, averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. The Heat suffered from his absence on both ends of the court.
Tyrese Maxey, a rookie guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, is doubtful for the Brooklyn Nets game due to a sore wrist. With an average of 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, Maxey has been a key cog in the 76ers rotation this year. The 76ers will be hoping that Maxey will be able to recover in time for the game in order to keep vying for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
NBA teams frequently worry about injuries, especially as the postseason approaches. Teams will be hoping that their players can recover quickly and keep up good health as they get set to compete for a postseason spot.
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