Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat is in the record books as the first player to block a potential game-tying or go-ahead dunk in the final minute of a playoff game since the advent of play-by-play in the 1996-97 NBA season.
Per Marc J. Spears of ESPN, Adebayo's block of Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics made NBA history.
Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo is the first player to block a potential game-tying or go-ahead dunk in the final minute of a playoff game since the advent of play-by-play in 1996-97. @ESPNStatsInfo
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 16, 2020
With less than 10 seconds left in overtime, Tatum was able to drive to the ring and rise up for the dunk. It would've been a game-tying slam but Bam Adebayo — who was named into the 2020 All-Defensive Second Team — had other plans.
https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1306041767515402240
Adebayo's swat was critical. Right after he got hold of the ball, he was fouled and went to the free-throw line. He converted on 1-of-2, giving the Heat a 3-point advantage. Tatum had one last crack to tie the game but missed.
Adebayo's block effectively sealed the Game 1 victory for the Heat. It was a strong showing by a Heat squad which dominated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
While there are several games left in the series, the Heat showcased why many analysts consider them the dark horse of the tourney. While they don't necessarily have a superstar that can dominate games, their squad is filled with veterans like Butler, Andre Iguodala, Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder among others. Rookie Tyler Herro, too, has been nothing but stellar in his first playoff campaign. And with two-time championship coach Erik Spoelstra leading the pack, the Heat are proving that fluid teamwork and grit is what's needed to win.
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