Coach Erik Spoelstra unleashes a potent double-big lineup, pairing Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. Discover how this strategy fuels the Miami Heat's playoff push.
The NBA regular season will reach the end on Sunday, when the Miami Heat host the Atlanta Hawks. They return from a three-game road trip, suffering back-to-back losses to the Toronto Raptors. It solidified the team’s faith in participating in the Play-In Tournament for a fourth consecutive season. The Heat will face the Charlotte Hornets, but the setting will be official after Sunday’s games.
They were outrebounded in both losses against the Raptors. Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware split minutes at center. However, in Friday’s matchup against the Wizards, they started together. Following the 140-117 win, coach Erik Spoelstra appears committed to the double-big lineup.
“Kel’el’s really important to what we’re trying to do,” he said. “We all know about his upside. This can get him next to Bam, stabilize him a bit to start the game, and then give us a bit of flexibility as the game moves on. In the last couple of weeks, some of the lineups with Bam have been really good, then we end up going longer with that, and it just ends up being longer for Kel’el sitting on the bench. He's [Ware] a key player for us. This allows him to get some minutes right out of the gate.”
Ware in the starting lineup moves Pelle Larsson to a reserve role. The 25-year-old manages to leave an impact on the game regardless of lineups.
“It takes some emotional and professional stability from a guy like Pelle,” coach Spoelstra added. “To be able to take that and understand the big picture with it. He brings a great spark for us off the bench and you saw that tonight [on Friday] with him and Jaime [Jaquez Jr].”
The Heat went winless against the Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Orlando Magic, all of whom have length and size in multiple positions. Ware is the only seven-footer listed on the standard roster. Despite the ups and downs throughout the regular season, the 21-year-old is capable of making a significant impact, especially alongside Adebayo.
The Hornets don’t impose the same length and size as the other Eastern Conference opponents.
Regardless, a Ware-Adebayo lineup had success earlier in the regular season.
The Heat will be fighting for a spot in the playoffs, starting in a single-game, win-or-go-home setting.
After an underwhelming regular season, the team will have an opportunity to flip the script. They can still gain momentum on Sunday against the Hawks, especially if Ware and Bam continue to start together.
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