In the second game of their first-round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics with a significant victory. They came back strong after losing badly in Game 1 and leveled the series with a 111-101 victory.
To be fair, a lot of people will concentrate on the Heat’s explosive shooting display during the game. More than any other NBA team, Miami has discovered a way to exploit the Celtics’ typically formidable defense through absurd shooting performances.
On Wednesday night, the Heat made 53.5 percent of their 3-point attempts. Throughout the game, Haywood Highsmith, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic all drained at least three 3-pointers.
NBA RUMS & NEWS: Miami Heat & Bam Adebayo Updates
Herro, who was a virtuoso with the ball in his hands, led the way with 24 points, 14 assists, and five rebounds. Heat center Bam Adebayo joined him in the double-double club in Game 2. Adebayo finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.
What impressed people, though, wasn’t Adebayo’s offensive prowess. Rather, it was his ability to make an impact on defense that caused a former member of the NBA front office to heap accolades upon him.
Amin Elhassan went on the LeBatard Show on Thursday following Game 2 to talk about the value of Adebayo to them on the floor. Elhassan believes that Adebayo is the NBA’s finest defender.
“He is without a doubt the league’s top defensive player. When you show me Rudy Gobert guarding Jayson Tatum, not Jaylen Brown, on a switch, how did they shut down the Celtics’ offense in the second half? Bam Adebayo was the person. Bam Adebayo was the main defender on Brown, Tatum, Porzingis, and even guarded Holiday on a few occasions. It wasn’t simply help defense. Without a doubt, that is the finest defensive player in the NBA.
