Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Bam Adebayo’s second-highest scoring game in NBA history powers the Heat past the Wizards

The Wizards were powerless to stop Bam Adebayo’s assault, leading the Heat to their sixth-straight win on a historic NBA night. They were undermanned at home again, using their 22nd starting lineup and still took control of the open court and never gave up their lead.

He was merciless, outscoring the Wizards by himself with 30 first-quarter points on rim attacks, freebies and 3-pointers, and eclipsing LeBron James’ record (25) for the most points in any quarter of Heat history. 

They had a 12-point lead at the start of the second, and he followed up with 13 more points via rim pressure plus extra freebies, and Keshad Johnson and Simone Fontecchio chipped in, combining for five baskets from deep and short distance. Their only concern was dealing with Alex Sarr, the 2024 second overall pick, who erupted on mostly outside jumpers and one strike at the rim.

They led 76-62 at halftime and subsequently kept a comfortable separation on the scoreboard throughout the third quarter as Adebayo refused to take his foot off the gas, pouring in another 19 points. He feasted at the line, plus he swished his sixth trifecta and nailed two more baskets at the rim, but he wasn’t finished there.

The Heat entered the fourth quarter ahead by 16, and Adebayo picked up his first two assists, setting up treys for Fontecchio and Dru Smith. Then he proceeded with rim attacks and the Wizards couldn’t defend without fouling. It was always garbage time, and they still sent him multiple defenders. Additionally, the entire bench stood up when coach Erik Spoelstra challenged an offensive foul on Adebayo with fewer than three minutes left and it was not overturned. As he approached Kobe Bryant‘s second all-time scoring record, assistant coach Caron Butler was yelling at the team to intentionally foul so he would get the ball back.

He scored his 82nd and 83rd points at the line as his mother stood, along with everyone fan in the building, at her court side seat.

The Heat won 150-129.

Spoelstra said, “This was just an absolutely surreal night. Obviously we’ve been blessed to have been a part of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened.”

Takeaways:

• The Wizards were without the firepower of their new trade acquisitions, Trae Young (right knee injury management) and Anthony Davis (left finger sprain). The Heat were missing Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware. Still, the offense scored 127.4 points per 100 possessions, good enough for the 84th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. It was also the 13th time they’ve scored at least 70 in the first half, and they are undefeated on those nights.

• Adebayo’s previous career high was 41 points in Brooklyn on Jan. 23, 2021. He wasn’t concerned with feeding his teammates since he had the scorching hot hand, and he passed his old best with 42 seconds left to go in the first half (43) on a catch-and-go move from the wing to the cup. He later finished with the Heat’s record for most points in a game by a player and the second-highest scoring game in NBA history (83). Despite the low-level competition, his outburst should keep his confidence high and was a nice boost to his scoring average. He is the 11th player in NBA history to cross 70 points and the third to break 80. 

• Adebayo scored 36 of his points at the line, in 43 attempts. Ten of his baskets were logged at close range, and three more in the paint were in the non-restricted area.

• Many coaches would have subbed Adebayo out earlier (43 minutes), but coach Erik Spoelstra allowed a special moment to continue. His teammates showed great respect to keep pushing for it, too. Aside from the championships, it’s hard to point to a more noteworthy night in the team’s history. Adebayo came in as a defensive player with a limited arsenal. He even passed up open mid-range jumpers in his fourth season plus at times in his fifth. Now he’s comfortable shooting from anywhere.

• He may not have made an All-Star team this season, but he may be in play for a selection on Third Team All-NBA when counting how he has played since Jan. 10.