The Miami Heat will take the floor against the Orlando Magic on December 9 for an NBA Cup quarterfinal, and center Bam Adebayo insists the club can make a deep run both in the in-season tournament and later in the playoffs.
“People are going to call us crazy, but I think we’re a contender,” Adebayo told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears before the game. “We’re going to be called delusional… but you have to speak things into existence. I think we’re contenders when we’re fully healthy.”
The 28-year-old added that he has embraced his new status as the franchise’s primary voice. “This season it’s like I’m in the driver’s seat,” he said. “If they didn’t believe in me, they wouldn’t put me in that seat.”
Two-big experiment still a work in progress
Head coach Erik Spoelstra continues to evaluate the front-court pairing of Adebayo and rookie Kel’el Ware. “I just want to see that group, when we play bigger, be a plus,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald. Through 123 minutes together, the duo has been outscored by 12.5 points per 100 possessions.
Fontecchio breaks shooting slump
Simone Fontecchio connected on four three-pointers against Sacramento on Saturday, snapping his recent downturn from long range. Spoelstra said he never considered pulling the forward from the rotation, noting Fontecchio’s floor spacing, detailed team defense, and willingness to battle on the glass.
Herro returns to starting lineup
After missing two games with a toe contusion, guard Tyler Herro was cleared to play against Orlando. The 25-year-old is averaging 23.8 points across five appearances this season and was reinserted into the starting unit, according to the Miami Herald.
Source: Hoops Rumors
