Why the Warriors’ Adebayo assignment is a game to watch against the Heat originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Plagued by the retirement of Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat slipped into Chase Center on Tuesday to try to avoid their first four-game losing streak since last January.
And they face the Warriors one night after a double overtime loss to the Kings Monday in Sacramento.
With Butler out, Miami looks to keep Tyler Herro to take over. But he played 49 minutes Monday and is listed as questionable because of a left knee contusion. His absence would deprive fans of a spicy duel against Stephen Curry, forcing the Heat to look elsewhere for leadership and production.
Elsewhere, in this case, means Bam Adebayo center. The three-time All-Star, perhaps the NBA’s most versatile big man, can expect to see a rotating cast of defenders, from Trayce Jackson-Davis to Draymond Green to Kevon Looney and perhaps Kyle Anderson .
Adebayo’s 16.1 points per game ranks third on the Heat, behind Herro (23.9) and Butler (17.6). He’s shooting 45 percent from the field (27 percent from distance) and averaging 9.9 rebounds. He will look to bounce back after a 6-of-19 shooting night in Sacramento.
Jackson-Davis will have the same goal. He has been playing well since return to Golden State’s starting lineup on Dec. 21, averaging 12.5 points and 9.4 rebounds, but endured its first scoreless game of the season Sunday as the Warriors were annihilated at home by the Kings. After eight straight games with a block or a steal – or both – TJD got neither. He managed just two rebounds in 18 minutes.
It’s conceivable, but unlikely, that Warriors coach Steve Kerr will adjust his starting lineup. He could with Green, who has considerable experience against Adebayo, at center. Or even Looney, who has also seen a lot of the Miami star.
The best bet is for Kerr to stick with TJD, whose vertical spacing on offense and rim protection on defense are virtually essential for the Warriors to turn around after six sub-par weeks.
On paper, this game leans towards the Warriors. They had two days to live hearing their audience face chants of “Light the Beam” as they were slapped by the Kings. And the Heat are playing their fourth game in six days, losing the first three by an average of 18 points.
Whether Herro plays or not, Miami’s best chance appears to be an epic performance from Adebayo.
