Boston Celtics
NBA
Heat’s Bam Adebayo speaks up.
Following the 102-88 loss to Boston, Adebayo was called for a flagrant foul on the Heat star, who remained silent regarding the incident with Tatum.
“I have no idea. According to Zachary Weinberger of ClutchPoints, Adebayo informed reporters during the postgame press conference, “We just going to move on from that, you gonna get me fined.”
When Boston’s big man Kristaps Porzingis departed the game in the midst of Game 4 due to what appeared to be a lower body injury, Adebayo’s defensive duties became less demanding, but the Heat were still unable to stay up with Boston. But in his 42 minutes on the court, the former Kentucky Wildcats big man scored 25 points, pulled down 17 rebounds, and disheveled five assists on 11/22 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer. In 37 minutes, Tatum scored 20 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and disheveled five assists. Tatum made all eight of his attempts from the charity stripe, sinking his only 5/14 performance from the field. Tatum also frequently reached the line.
The series may end differently and give the Heat hope again if Porzingis misses Game 5 and Tatum is hindered by his ankle ailment. The Heat’s prospects of pulling off a first-round miracle comeback against the Celtics are already dim. The Heat will need Adebayo to be at or over 100% of his usual level of performance in Game 5, regardless of what happens with Porzingis and Tatum. Through four games versus Boston, he has averaged 22.5 points on 53.5 field goal %, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He is the Heat’s most reliable player in the playoffs thus far and also their best defender.