In the second game of their first-round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics with a significant victory. They came back strong after losing badly in Game 1 and leveled the series with a 111-101 victory.
To be fair, a lot of people will concentrate on the Heat’s explosive shooting display during the game. More than any other NBA team, Miami has discovered a way to exploit the Celtics’ typically formidable defense through absurd shooting performances.
On Wednesday night, the Heat made 53.5 percent of their 3-point attempts. Throughout the game, Haywood Highsmith, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic all drained at least three 3-pointers.
Herro, who was a virtuoso with the ball in his hands, led the way with 24 points, 14 assists, and five rebounds. Heat center Bam Adebayo joined him in the double-double club in Game 2. Adebayo finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.
What impressed people, though, wasn’t Adebayo’s offensive prowess. Rather, it was his ability to make an impact on defense that caused a former member of the NBA front office to heap accolades upon him.
Amin Elhassan went on the LeBatard Show on Thursday following Game 2 to talk about the value of Adebayo to them on the floor. Elhassan believes that Adebayo is the NBA’s finest defender.
There’s no denying that he is the league’s top defensive player. How could they bottle the Celtics’ offense in the second half when you show me Rudy Gobert protecting Jayson Tatum, not Jaylen Brown, on a switch? Bam Adebayo was the one. Not only was Bam Adebayo playing help defense, but he was also playing as the main defender on Brown, Tatum, Porzingis, and on Holiday on a few occasions. Without a doubt, that is the NBA’s top defensive player.
The fact that Adebayo is so versatile on that end of the floor contributes significantly to Miami’s defensive success. Adebayo proved in Game 2 against Boston that he possesses the size and ability to cover every position.
Kristaps Porzingis shot 0 for 4 from 3-point range and went 1-for-9 from the field during the game, which effectively neutralized him. Not much better was Jrue Holiday, who shot 1 for 4 from long range and 4 for 12 from the field.
Adebayo was the main reason for the achievement. If the Heat are to pull off the upset and get to the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, he must keep performing at that caliber.
