Tag: Bam Adebayo

Pelicans vs. Heat Preview: Are the playoff hopes gone?

The Pelicans’ playoff hopes appear to be dashed after a slow start to the second half of the season heading into Friday’s game.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat

When: Friday, March 6, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: ESPN

Needing to come out of the gates strong in the second half of the season to make a playoff push, the Pelicans have done the opposite. Four wins in the last five games appears to have completely derailed New Orleans’ playoff push.

Now, with 20 games left, the Pelicans sit five games back of the Memphis Grizzlies. It’ll take a miraculous comeback for the playoffs to become a reality in April. it’s imperative for the Pelicans to go on a winning streak.

The problem with that, though, is that the schedule will not make it easy to do so. Friday’s game comes against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference in the Heat before a four-game road trip next week.

In Miami, the Pelicans will meet a side with one of the top offenses in the league. The Heat’s 112.5 offensive rating is seventh in the league. The 3.3 net rating of the team is 10th overall as well.

Friday also sets up an intriguing match-up between Zion Williamson and Bam Adebayo. This season, Adebayo has blossomed into one of the top bigs in the league as he’s averaging 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. Like Brandon Ingram, Adebayo’s breakout season was rewarded with an All-Star selection.

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Bam Adebayo holds the key to the Heat beating Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in a playoff series

Be afraid, Bucks.

No pressure or anything, Bam Adebayo, but if your Miami Heat end up facing the Milwaukee Bucks in the postseason, it’s on you to repeat what you did on Monday night another four times.

Adebayo has been a revelation for the Heat this season after the Hassan Whiteside trade, breaking out with crazy good numbers (16.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.3 bpg) that make him a Most Improved Player candidate.

And on Monday, he helped hold Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 13 points on 33.3 percent shooting, much of that due to his defense. Per ESPN, the Greek Freak hit just one of his 10 shots when Adebayo was on him, and Antetokounmpo scored exactly zero points in transition.

Watch this move to stop him:

That’s gorgeous defense right there. Not many big men move their feet like that to stop Antetokounmpo and his giant steps. He knew it was a big statement performance and decided to finish the game with this monster block:

Could Adebayo do this to get four wins if the two teams were to meet in the postseason? That’s where I have some doubts. But that’s exactly what the Heat want you to think to play the underdog card. They have other ways to win games other than their Swiss Army knife center — getting hot from deep (48.6 percent in the win) and bench depth (they’re throwing out Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala, who is still rounding into shape).

But if any team has a shot at the Bucks, it’s the only squad that has beaten them twice this season. And it’s on their big man in the middle to find a way to stop the NBA’s best player again.

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Miami’s Bam Adebayo wants to learn from ex-Celtic Kevin Garnett

First-time All-Star and Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo wants to meet with KG to learn some of his craft, but not for the reasons you’re probably thinking.

First-time All-Star Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat wants to work with former Boston Celtic big man Kevin Garnett, but not for the reasons most might think.

Garnett, a Hall of Fame nominee who won a ring in Boston in 2008, is known as one of the most dynamic and intense frontcourt players of the modern era. Even so, Adebayo isn’t angling for a tutorial on defense from the twelve-time All-Defensive player.

Instead, he wants to pick the brain of the Big Ticket for suggestions on how to be more professional, having taken note on how Garnett’s professionalism helped position the 15-time All-Star for success.

“I want to work out with Kevin Garnett,” said Adebayo of the former Celtics champion via the Miami Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman. “That man was a bucket-getter.”

“But more so just how he approached the game,” Adebayo added. “So more of a mental day, and just want to know how to be a professional, day in and day out.”

The Miami big man is correct in that while most fans remember KG for his on-court intensity, Garnett was also known among his peers for his indefatigable work ethic and consummate professionalism.

Even though he, former head coach Doc Rivers and the rest of the Banner 17 crew are long gone from Boston, their influence — especially Garnett’s — lingers in the institution itself, and the standard of professionalism established by Garnett can still be seen today.

“He changed the culture of this franchise,” said Rivers of Garnett’s impact via The Athletic’s Clevis Murphy.

“He really did. We needed a guy like that to come to the franchise, and he did that and itā€™s still here. It hasnā€™t left since. That was all Garnett,” he added.

To be frank, if anything, it’s odd more young players haven’t reached out to Garnett for the same reasons as Adebayo.

While the South Carolinian’s intensity has always been his calling card, it’s been his attitude towards the game and business that’s at least as responsible for such a storied career.

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Spencer Dinwiddie had a funny response to his first-round elimination in Skills Challenge

Bam Adebayo knocked off Spencer Dinwiddie in the first round of the 2020 NBA Skills Challenge and went on to win the whole thing.

Bam Adebayo won the Skills Challenge to open up the NBA All-Star Saturday Night 2020 festivities. The Miami Heat forward knocked off Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis to win the title, but he had to get through one former Skills Challenge champion on his way to the final round. Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who won the event in 2018.

Apparently, Adebayo told Dinwiddie prior to the competition “I’m going to be the champion,” and claimed after winning the event that the Nets point guard took him lightly.

Now Dinwiddie didn’t necessarily think the Miami forward was an easy matchup, but it doesn’t sound like he thought Adebayo would finish the round as efficiently as he did, based on what the Nets guard told Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News:

God has a lovely sense of humor because he allowed Bam to hit his first shot, which is craziness. I didn’t underestimate anybody. If you’re gonna lose, lose to the winner.

Dinwiddie added:

He hit the first one. Like, the first one? Really? Nobody was expecting that [expletive].

Dinwiddie will get a chance for some payback when the Nets visit the Heat on the last day of February.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris unable to win All-Star Weekend events

A lot went down during NBA All-Star Saturday. But for the Nets, neither of their players involved in the festivities took home hardware.

Joe Harris had the chance to be the back-to-back 3-Point Contest champion. Spencer Dinwiddie was given the opportunity to take back his title as the NBA Skills Challenge champion. Neither Nets player was able to bring any NBA All-Star Weekend hardware back to Brooklyn this year.

Dinwiddie was matched up against Miami Heat forward and 2020 NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo in the first round of the Skills Challenge. Not only did Adebayo beat the Nets point guard, but he also went on to win the whole thing, knocking off Indiana Pacers forward and fellow 2020 NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis in the final round.

Just like his Nets teammate in the Skills Challange, Harris was unable to make it out of the first round of the 3-Point Contest. But he still finished with a solid score of 22.

Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield walked away as the winner of the 2020 3-Point Contest.

RELATED: Nets having fun with Joe Harris’ new celebration

All-Star Saturday: The best pictures

All-Star Saturday: The best pictures

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander eliminated in first round of Skills Challenge

He lost to Khris Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks. Bam Adebayo won the Skills Challenge, defeating former OKC center Domantas Sabonis.

The trend of the big men showing up and showing out during the Skills Challenge continued on Saturday night. Much to the detriment of Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander was matched up against Khris Middleton, the two-time All-Star from the Milwaukee Bucks during the first round of the Skills Challenge.

Neither player had difficulty dribbling around the obstacles during the ball-handling portion of the challenge, but things broke down for Gilgeous-Alexander when he got to the pass.

While Middleton hit the target on his first pass, SGAā€™s was off the mark. He then didnā€™t know where the ball rack was, turning the wrong direction and losing precious seconds. He missed his next pass before finally hitting his third.

Both players made the layup and Gilgeous-Alexander almost caught Middleton at the end. Middletonā€™s first 3-point attempt was long off the back of the iron, and SGA put up a shot from around the hash mark to try and win the round on a heave.

His shot wasn’t off by much, but Middleton knocked down his second 3-point try for the victory.

Middleton lost to former Thunder center, Domantas Sabonis in the second round.

Sabonis then lost to the Heatā€™s Bam Adebayo in the final.

This year has the youngest NBA All-Star class since 1980

If there are some new faces participating in the 2020 All-Star Game that casual basketball fans do not yet recognize, there is a reason.

If there are some new faces participating in the 2020 All-Star Game that casual basketball fans do not yet recognize, there is a reason.

This year (tied with 2002) will feature the most first-time NBA All-Stars since 1994. There will be 10 players that have never before made an All-Star team participating in Chicago this weekend.

Some of the starters in the game (Trae Young,Ā Luka DoncicĀ andĀ Pascal Siakam) are rising stars that had not yet received this honor before this season. Others receiving their debut nods:Ā Bam Adebayo,Ā Brandon Ingram, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell,Ā Domantas Sabonis andĀ Jayson Tatum.

After a late injury toĀ Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, he was replaced by another first-time All-Star in 23-year-old Devin Booker.

Credit: HoopsHype

With the addition of Booker, the average age for the NBA All-Stars this year is now just 26.89 years old. This is partly due to key injuries suffered by veteran stars like Stephen Curry, Keven Durant as well as Klay Thompson. However, the rapid rise of the aforementioned second-year players Doncic and Young both factor in this historically fresh group as well. In fact, the average age of the squads this season represents the youngest from an All-Star team since 1980. It is also the third-youngest of all-time, according to our research.

The average age this season is a stark difference of 1.82 years younger than the average age of the teams just last season. It is worth noting that marks the largest drop since the All-Star festivities began in 1950.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Los Angeles Clippers at Miami Heat odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Miami Heat sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers (31-14) head to the Magic City to play the Miami Heat (31-13) at AmericanAirlines Arena Friday at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze Clippers-Heat odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Clippers at Heat: Key injuries

Clippers

  • PGĀ Patrick Beverley (groin) questionable
  • SF Paul GeorgeĀ (hamstring) out

Heat

  • PGĀ Kendrick NunnĀ (Achilles) questionable
  • SFĀ Jimmy ButlerĀ (knee) questionable
  • PGĀ Goran DragicĀ (calf) questionable
  • SF Justise Winslow (back) out

Clippers at Heat: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 107, Heat 102

Moneyline (ML)

Sigh … as confident as I am in the Clippers (-139) winning this game outright, I’m not stoked on laying Clippers the juice on the moneyline. Both the Clippers and the Heat excel against non-conference opponents:Ā Miami is 11-7 outright and 11-6-1 against the spread versus the West, and Los Angeles is 12-4 outright and 10-6 ATS with a plus-10.9 margin of victory against the East.

Since I’m writing this I have to make a ruling on it and that’s for a PASS on the moneyline in favor of a line wager in Clippers-Heat.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

BET CLIPPERS -2.5 (-106) because both teams could be without two starters but Miami’s injury situation is more detrimental than Los Angeles’. The Clippers are accustomed to playing without George, who’s missed 19 games compared to Butler’s six missed games for the Heat. Plus, don’t sleep on Dragic’s possible absence because they’ll need him since reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, could light up Miami’s second unit. Here are some trendy reasons to back Los Angeles Friday:

  • The Clippers are 9-5 ATS with a plus-6.6 margin of victory as an away favorite.

  • Los Angeles is 5-3 ATS in road games against teams above .500 and 3-0 ATS when laying 1-2.5 points.

Also, even if Butler plays, Kawhi Leonard has consistently gotten the better of him throughout their careers:

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Over/Under (O/U)

TheĀ UNDER 219.5 (+105) is the only move if betting the total. The Under is 9-0 in the last nine meetings plus both offenses are a little less efficient on Fridays: The Clippers average seven fewer points and the Heat fall 2.6 points per game below their season average on Fridays. If Dragic, Nunn and Butler all sit out then the Heat will be missing their three top scorers, and the Clippers have a 5-11 Over/Under record against teams above .500.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_ClarkĀ and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.Ā  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Bam Adebayo is unbothered Tacko Fall has more All-Star votes than him

Tacko Fall placed sixth in All-Star voting in the second fan returns released on Thursday while Adebayo was seventh.

With NBA All-Star voting officially underway, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have emerged as the leaders in the second fan returns released on Thursday.

Perhaps the biggest surprise through the first two returns was the reception for Boston Celtics two-way rookie Tacko Fall. The 7-foot-5 center placed sixth in the second fan returns with 543,352 total votes, topping notable players like teammate Gordon Hayward and Bam Adebayo.

Adebayo has become one of the best big men in the NBA this season. Entering play on Sunday, the Miami Heat center is averaging 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in 38 games. Despite having a better season than Fall, Adebayo wasn’t bothered by the voting.

ā€œIt doesnā€™t bother me at all,ā€ Adebayo said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. ā€œPeople like Tacko Fall. Itā€™s fan voting for a reason. Heā€™s got a lot of fans, a lot of fan base behind him.ā€

Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the game while a panel of media members and all current players make up the other 50% of the votes.

While Adebayo wasn’t concerned with the voting, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens recently denounced the system with Fall ahead of so many worthy players.

“I don’t love it, ” Stevens said. “I don’t love the idea when you talk about awards … not being based on what’s solely happening on the court.”

Since joining the Celtics, Fall has become one of the most popular players in the NBA due to his size and skill set. Fall has often drawn standing ovations in arenas and has even garnered ā€œM-V-Pā€ chants in Boston, which has certainly led to the influx of All-Star votes.

Although Adebayo is still seventh in All-Star voting, the third-year center appears to be headed toward his first appearance in the annual showcase game as a reserve after his strong start to the season.

The All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 in Chicago.

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