Bam Adebayo’s 83 Points Rank Second All-Time in Single-Game Scoring
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Miami center Bam Adebayo poured in 83 points in the Heat’s victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, recording the second-highest single-game total in NBA history.
Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance from Jan. 22, 2006, and now trails only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game from March 2, 1962.
The three-time All-Star shot 7-of-22 from beyond the arc and an NBA-record 36-of-43 at the free-throw line. The 36 made free throws eclipsed the previous mark of 26 shared by Adrian Dantley and Chamberlain, while the 43 attempts broke Dwight Howard’s 39-attempt record. According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Adebayo is the first player ever to combine at least 30 free throws with 20 or more three-point attempts in one game.
As the total climbed, Washington resorted to triple-teaming Adebayo and intentionally fouling other Heat players to keep him off the stripe. Even so, a late spin move in transition drew another shooting foul, pushing him past Bryant’s milestone. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said Adebayo left no doubt about staying on the court. “I didn’t even dare think about taking him out,” Spoelstra told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman.
Adebayo exited shortly after securing the record, and Miami closed out the win with the new single-game scoring runner-up in league history.
Source: Hoops Rumors
