Hoping to build off arguably their biggest win of the season against the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat encountered the tanking Brooklyn Nets, a team on the opposite end of the scale from their recent counterpart. While it wasn’t always pretty, aesthetically, Miami still pulled away en route to a 124-98 win inside Kaseya Center.
Bam Adebayo continued his torrid stretch on both ends of the floor, scoring a game-high 23 points on 11-of-24 shooting with nine rebounds, a remarkable six steals, four assists and one block. He struggled from beyond the arc, knocking down just one of his seven long-range attempts. But the three-time All-Star got whatever he wanted inside the paint, where he converted on each of his 10 remaining buckets, including seven at the rim (on 11 attempts).
Amazingly enough, he wasn’t the only Heat big — let alone player — to record at least five steals. Second-year center Kel’el Ware posted yet another double-double, scoring 11 points with 13 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting in 29 minutes. Though Ware also plucked five steals, making him and Adebayo the first set of centers in NBA History to record five steals in the same game.
Tyler Herro, who was consistently getting two feet in the paint — oftentimes leading to his in-between floater, a shot he’s fallen in love with over the years — finished with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 20 points as well off the bench, adding five rebounds and four assists in the winning effort.
Miami led by 13 points with 10:30 left and, frankly, it was lucky it wasn’t closer given its chaotic third quarter. Nevertheless, back-to-back Simone Fontecchio 3-pointers quickly put the Heat up 19, springing a 16-4 run over the ensuing 5:43, giving them a 25-point advantage. From that point on, the game was all but sealed.
The 15-win Nets, understandably, leaned a lot into their youth — much like they have for most of the season. Noah Clowney had a team-high 17 points and seven rebounds; rookies Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively, while Ziaire Williams had 16 points on just 3-of-10 shooting.
Minus their blips to Utah and Milwaukee (without Giannis Antetokounmpo), the Heat have done a fairly good job beating up on bad teams this season. Miami’s now bested the Nets in five of their last six meetings dating back to the 2023-24 season. It will see them again on Thursday inside Kaseya Center, the final of three meetings between the two teams this season.
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Not even sure what to takeaway from a game like that, energy was like a practice 5 on 5 but Bam had 20 PITP, Herro 14. Most of Herrro’s points are coming in the paint which is interesting. Heat had 63 PITP, season avg is 54 and it falls to ~40 vs good defenses. On offense think that’s the number to watch
this ba ba billups case is coming to head shocking what ba ba billups did.had the world at his fingertips as they say.
The story of the game was Heats centers. Bam had the best game in a while. He was everywhere.
Ware had a Hassan like game in first half. He does everything wrong. Spo subbed Bam back in the game way sooner then he should because of that. But the second half was the best I saw from him in a long time, especially defensively.
I wonder what will Heat do in the game when Bam wont be that good, Ware as bad as in the first half the whole game and Niko still in current shape?
Playing JJJ, Pelle or or Simone at center?
Johnson and Goldin are all they have, unless they waive somebody and grab Chris Boucher, Mo Bamba, Dain Dainja…somebody.
KJ is too small and not strong enough, Goldin not ready. Both also not available.
Its like the game of basketball became a game of 6.5 or 6.6 high players. At least in Miami.
hes 6 7 225 not an ounce of fat on him .those guys built like that are very strong all muscle
Yes, but still not built to defend a 7 footer.
He wouldn’t need to play C. He can play PF with either Bam or Ware at C. That way they can share the floor together most of the time and take turns sharing the floor with KJ. If PJ and Crowder could fill the starting PF role, Johnson. should be able to handle it part time.
True, but if Ware/Bam combo become a force, and Ware cant hold his own in minutes without Bam, as he couldnt last game in first half, whats next?
I think its the #1 question, what do they do on defense when Bam is out. Even 5-10 minutes of Jovic would help. Wouldn’t be surprised to see JJJ and Larsson guarding up in size. Wiggins can also guard up in the right matchups, his frame is slight but he’s strong and has a 8’11” standing reach (for a NBA center the baseline is 9′)
Agree.
Turn the time machine back to Feb 1 and trade for a good back-up big?
utah has an excess of large white men cant believe pat couldnt get one..isnt wade part owner
Or use Niko or Goldin as a backup big?
Nah, lets try time machine.