‘Keep going’: Bam Adebayo’s NBA Finals performance has been a tale of two halves
Bam Adebayo has arguably one of the toughest assignments in the NBA Finals.
He’s tasked with not only being the Miami Heat’s secondary scorer but also the primary defender of two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. And while Adebayo’s has upped his scoring average from 17 to 22.3 points per game in the Finals, he hasn’t quite shot the ball well in the second half.
“Keep going,” Adebayo said when asked about how to improve his second half performance following the Heat’s 108-95 loss to the Denver Nuggets. “That’s the biggest thing for me: keep forcing that, keep getting to the line to see the ball go in and live with result.”
Adebayo has averaged a little more than 10 points on 40 percent shooting in the second half of the NBA Finals. He finished Game 4 with 20 points on 44 percent from the field with 11 rebounds and three assists. Again, however, his second half struggles continued: the two-time All-Star recorded only 8 points – a second half Finals low – and missed five of his seven shots. He also turned the ball over four times, bringing his game total to seven.
“Obviously having those turnovers can’t help us win,” Adebayo said. His seven turnovers were the highest this postseason. “The biggest thing for me is watch film and figure out how I can be better.”
Adebayo’s first half play has been rather efficient in comparison, averaging nearly 12 points on 50 percent shooting. The Kentucky product has scored under 10 points once – Game 2’s 111-108 victory – in the first half yet bounced back with 12 on 5 for 6 from the field in the final two quarters. Game 2 also happened to be the only time Adebayo shot over 50 percent in the second half. In losses, Adebayo has shot 31 percent from the field, making nine of his 29 second half field goals.
“Our defense has been playing at a high level,” Nuggets Coach Mike Malone said. “I have to give our guys so much credit for being locked in, for being disciplined. That’s three wins now where our defense has held them under 100 points.”
Although it’s not completely clear why Adebayo’s play has lagged off in the second half, Jokic’s excellence might be the culprit. Prior to Game 4’s 7-point second half performance, Jokic has been averaging 21 points on 63 percent shooting (60 percent from three) across the game’s final two quarters.
The Heat will now have to travel to Denver for a must-win Game 5 on Monday. For a team that has thrived in adversity, this will surely be their toughest test yet.
“Our whole season hasn’t been easy,” Adebayo said, later adding “We just will not quit.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2023 at 9:45 AM.
