Bam Adebayo demands defensive intensity, calling for players to take matchups personally as the Miami Heat's strong unit falters.
The Miami Heat are reaching the final stretch of the five-game West Coast road trip, facing the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. It's been back and forth between wins and losses since Jan. 11, which isn't a recipe for success given the team's record and standing in the Eastern Conference. The main concerns have come from the defensive side of the court, especially in Thursday night's loss against the Portland Trail Blazers, who finished shooting 40 percent from three-point range.
Heat's captain Bam Adebayo spreads the message of accountability.
"They're NBA players at the end of the day," he told media before the game. "You can't just give guys dare shots or 'we'll live with him making shots' because that's how guys get rhythm. That's how it can burn you in the end. For us, it's just taking that matchup personal from the start."
Adebayo is the only player on the Heat's roster to make at least one All-Defensive team, having done it five times throughout his NBA career. They have the 10th-best defensive rating in the league on the season, but in the last nine games, it's fallen to 23rd, allowing opponents to score an average of 121.7 points.
In the past, the Heat have been an excellent defensive team, regardless of whether or not shots are falling, which has been the biggest difference this season. When the ball isn't falling through the rim, the defense hasn't held strong.
They'll be without second-year center Kel'el Ware to conclude the road trip after traveling back to Miami on Thursday to seek further treatment for a hamstring injury. He's the lone seven-footer listed on the standard roster, with Nikola Jovic following, listed at 6-10.
The 22-year-old Serbian forward was the backup center in Thursday night's loss against the Blazers, finishing with a horrendous performance: five points, shooting 25 percent from the field, five rebounds, and three assists in 17 minutes.
Erik Spoelstra has alluded to the process of winning games despite the offense being stagnant. However, the Heat have yet to succeed in that department on a consistent basis.
The Jazz will be without a few key pieces, such as All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen and longtime veteran Kevin Love. The Heat needs to take advantage to finish the road trip on a winning note, especially with facing the Phoenix Suns in the desert on Sunday night.
Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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