Miami center Bam Adebayo said he is “accepting accountability” after another inefficient outing on the Heat’s current road swing. Speaking Friday, the All-Star acknowledged that his 10-for-23 shooting inside the arc and 0-for-3 showing from deep through two games “let the team down,” with three of those tries blocked.
While Adebayo labored, rookie Kelel Ware provided a spark in the loss at Boston, scoring a team-best 24 points and hitting a career-high six three-pointers. “I’m just getting more comfortable out there, playing through the flow,” the 7-footer said.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart fined
The NBA docked Marcus Smart $35,000 for flashing a middle finger at officials during halftime of Thursday’s victory in Utah. The gesture was noted in the league’s announcement Saturday.
Through 17 games of his first season with Los Angeles, Smart is averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 27.1 minutes. The Lakers are plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions when he plays and minus-2.8 when he sits, a swing driven largely by improved defense.
Smart joined the club on a two-year, $10.5 million deal after a buyout with Washington, which will carry $14.8 million in dead money next season.
Anunoby cooled off in Philadelphia
OG Anunoby finished with just two points on 1-for-9 shooting in the Knicks’ nine-point loss to the 76ers on Friday. Head coach Mike Brown questioned the whistle, arguing that physical drivers such as Anunoby are officiated differently from quicker ball-handlers who initiate contact.
Brown said the forward was “trying to attack the rim, not sell contact,” but the approach yielded little reward on either end in Philadelphia.
Source: Hoops Wire
