Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo took over the fourth quarter in win over the Warriors

The Warriors’ visit to Kaseya Center was a tuneup for the Heatles, not having to deal with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Even on a night when Norman Powell was dormant until the fourth quarter, it went unlike the loss at home against the Cavaliers, who were down three starters on Nov. 13. 

The hosts got Bam Adebayo back after he missed six straight games, and he scored 20 points on jumpers and on rim attacks. After the game, he said he felt good and was “Just trying to find a rhythm, not overdo it, and let the game come to me.”

Despite going cold and losing the ball five times by the end of the first quarter, the Heat led by nine because they got multiple baskets from Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and Pelle Larsson, plus the Warriors missed their first 12 shots, being unable to bend coverages.

The Heat’s carelessness continued as their turnover count hit nine, and the Warriors closed the gap, spraying them with a 14-2 run. Adebayo got his crew somewhat back on track, scoring on a baseline drive and making a floater on the left side through contact.

The Heat went to halftime ahead 49-45, while their half-court offense was in the gutter, scoring 74.4 points per 100 plays, good enough for the fourth percentile. Their other issues were being down on the glass by six, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. plus Simone Fontecchio, two of the team’s ignitable reserves, combined for only 12 points on 25% shooting.

Subsequently, Golden State’s coverage, including a zone, was effective in slowing down the Heat to three makes in 13 tries in the lane. They also took their first lead of the game halfway through the third quarter as the Heat had their worst defensive stretch. Coach Erik Spoelstra said, “We’ll continue to get more comfortable. I was more uncomfortable with some of the decisions and semi-transition, or against their man [coverage].”

Yet Miami was able to survive because Powell erupted for 17 points in the fourth on deep jumpers and drive-bys. Adebayo also scored seven in a row to put the game out of reach. 

The Heat won 110-96. In spite of the Heat getting out rebounded by 10, and their attack being neutralized, they contained Golden State’s half-court offense to 76.1 points per 100 plays, good enough for the sixth percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. Powell said Adebayo’s presence had a “really big effect,” and that, “Having him on the floor kind of controlling the defense was huge for us. We definitely missed him, and we’re glad to have him back.”

Other notes:

• Second-year player Pelle Larsson had sixth game in the last seven nights scoring in double figures. He’s making it impossible for Spoelstra to shelve him when Tyler Herro returns.

• Jaquez had a poor night in the scoring department, shooting 33.3%, but impacted the game more as a playmaker, racking up seven dimes, the most on the team, against two giveaways.

• Kel’el Ware went back to bench because Adebayo returned, and he had a big night on the glass, recovering 16 rebounds in 19 minutes. Spoelstra said, “I think Kel’el was really good tonight. Adebayo was complimentary of him after the game.