Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 PM EST

Take two. The Brooklyn Nets look to make it two in a row on Monday night against the Miami Heat, who continue to struggle having some of their key players out with injuries.

Jimmy Butler and Tyler Hero are among the players who won’t suit up on Monday night for the Heat.

Bam Adebeyo will suit up, however, and he’s really, really good. He almost singlehandedly beat the Nets on Saturday night.

So, Nets, keep an eye on him tonight, OK?

OK.

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (10-8) vs. Miami Heat (6-9)

WHEN: 7:30pm EST

WHERE: NBA TV (national), YES (local), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview.

Player to watch: Bam Adebayo

If he plays like that every night, they’ll have to build a statue of him. Adebayo was outstanding on Saturday night as he scored a career high 41 points on a dazzling array of face up jumpers, three pointers, etc. As the Heat try to get healthy and put themselves in position to go on another deep playoff run, Adebayo’s gotten better every season and is firmly entrenched as the team’s franchise player going forward. He can operate an offense, has good touch on his jumpers, plays hard every night, and anchors an elite defense when everyone is healthy. I always think about this Spoelstra quote from a 2020 Zach Lowe story when I think about Adebayo:

“The only way to get better is experience. I want him to be a different player six weeks from now, three months from now. And then I’ll move the goal posts again.”

How will the Nets adjust? As the game rolled deep into the fourth, Jeff Green was at center for the Nets and worked hard in trying to slow Bam down. It didn’t work of course, but Green as the smallball center has been good all things considered. He wound up fouling out, which led to Kevin Durant taking a brief spell at the five late. We’ve wondered about KD playing center, and I feel that’s a strategy that will be broken out in the playoffs as needed. In the interim, Green and Jordan will take on the responsibility of reining Adebayo in tonight.

For more on the Heat, check out Hot Hot Hoops.