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3 things the Miami Heat need to focus on to break out of their funk

By Ivan Mora

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 25: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat with Bam Adebayo #13, Duncan Robinson #55 and P.J. Tucker #17 after a foul was called during the second half against the New York Knicks at FTX Arena on March 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 25: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat with Bam Adebayo #13, Duncan Robinson #55 and P.J. Tucker #17 after a foul was called during the second half against the New York Knicks at FTX Arena on March 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 21: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Heat 113-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3 things the Miami Heat need to focus on to break out of their funk: Aggressive Bam Abedayo 

This is probably the biggest factor for this Heat team to resemble at least a sliver of what the 2020 NBA Playoffs saw. In the month of March, the Heat have won all eight games in which Bam Adebayo has been zoned in, averaging seven-plus defensive rebounds in those contests.

Yet they’re 8-7 this month because Adebayo has been taken out of his element defensively. It’s like opponents have figured out a blueprint and with the lack of help down in the post next to Bam, this team has struggled to defend late-game drives.

It doesn’t help much that their lack of energy is on full display due to that typical wind-down style of play most teams choose to play with this late in the season. They are eyeing the playoffs but have fallen to an unrecognizable team that others probably don’t fear as much anymore.

They are now beatable and are definitely not a contender at this moment. Bam needs to take over, even if it means playing the remaining seven games. Minutes restriction will help health-wise, but they can’t afford to slip and risk losing home-court advantage. Even if it’s not first, they can manage with second or third, but Bam needs to stay locked in.

In February, Bam was averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds per game while helping the Heat finish with a 9-2 month that jolted them to first in the East. That team was the team to beat. Now, it seems they are hanging on by a thread. Aggressive Bam needs to lead the way, especially when Jimmy Butler’s defense isn’t committed 100 percent.

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