Despite a second defeat in a row there seems to be no questioning the Miami Heat’s fight, especially one star who put his body on the line.
The Heat went down 97-104 against an Oklahoma City Thunder side who ‘learnt a lot’ from their NBA Cup Final defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Coach Erik Spoelstra was dealt an early blow, with trade-linked Jimmy Butler being ruled out early in the game due to illness. His absence was felt especially offensively as the Heat struggled to break down a resilient OKC defense.
Tyler Herro continued to show why he is a potential All-Star, he scored 28 of the Heat’s points and also added 12 rebounds and six assists.
However, another Heat star earned the praise of coach Spoelstra for his toughness.
Heat big-man Bam Adebayo was forced to leave the game against OKC for a period of time following a knock to his face which left a laceration above his eye.
Despite many expecting the center to be ruled out for the rest of the game he promptly made his return after having seven stitches applied.
Although his return could not prompt a Heat victory his toughness was praised by his coach and teammate Herro.
Speaking to the media after the game, Spoelstra said: “Yeah, he’s tough you had no doubt that he was going to make his way back in there. If they could have put a bandaid on it during the timeout he would have gone back out there at that point.
“Bam allows you to do a lot of different things at the end, we had him on Williams [Jalen Williams] and he was still able to come back and get rebounds that’s the kind of difference he makes.”
The compliments didn’t end there for Adebayo who was also spoken in high regard by teammate Herro.
He said: “That’s what makes Bam Bam. He’s able to impact the game in so many ways and he gurts hurt with above his eye split open and he’s able to jump back in the game. It shows how much he loves the game and wants to be out here to help us win, that’s what you want.”
Despite being out of the game for an extended period to receive his stitches, Adebayo managed to secure another career achievement.
By scoring 17 points and securing 10 rebounds the 27-year-old passed Alonzo Mourning for the second-most double-doubles in Heat history.
Perhaps more impressively he managed to do it in 79 fewer games.
Heat double-double leaders:
- 1. Ron Seikaly – 221
- 2. Bam Adebayo – 206
- 3. Alonzo Mourning – 205
- 4. Hassan Whiteside – 185
- Udonis Haslem – 134
Adebayo will be looking to add to his double-double tally when the Heat look to get back to winning ways against the Orlando Magic.
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