Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was quiet for the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, only tallying 16 points total in Games 1 and 2 combined. The Heat needed more from Bam, and everybody knew it.
Well, Adebayo showed up in a big way in Saturday's shocking Game 3 win, putting up 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals in a masterclass performance. The Heat big man also hit a clutch jumper as Miami held off Boston's serious charge, which came in the second half without Jimmy Butler on the court.
After the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra invoked Butler when discussing Adebayo's much-needed performance, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
“He did his version of what Jimmy does in terms of do what’s necessary for the game,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo.
Adebayo came out firing for the Heat, scoring 12 points in the first quarter as they opened up a 21-point lead after one. That offensive aggression that had been missing in the series to this point stayed for most of the night, though things did get shaky for Miami late as the offense struggled without Butler. Still, Adebayo and company did just enough to secure the victory.
Spoelstra knows just how important Bam is to this Heat team:
“He really is the heart and soul of the group,” Spoelstra said. “Tonight we needed the scoring.”
Miami is now up 2-1 in this series and would take full control with a win in Monday's Game 4. Butler's status is up in the air, but regardless, the Heat need Adebayo to bring this type of effort to the table in order to win.
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