NBA prediction No. 7: Bam Adebayo will be a force; Miami will make some noise
Before the hiatus, Bam Adebayo was already becoming a household star in the NBA. Averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and being named to his first all-star team, Bam was a huge part of the Heat’s resurgence this season.
Along with Jimmy Butler, talented rookies Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn, the Heat were sitting just 2.5 games back of the 3rd seed in the East. At the same rate, they’re only two games ahead of the Sixers for the 6th seed. The eight seeding games will have a huge impact on how the middle of the Eastern Conference finishes.
It’s tough to sit here and say that Miami will make it to the conference semifinals or conference finals. Though, depending on how the seeding shakes out, the Heat will emerge as one of the most dangerous teams in the East. Assuming health, behind Jimmy Butler, you can make the argument that this team was built for the postseason.
With essentially an entire offseason off, it’ll be interesting to see how a rising star like Bam emerges.