The Miami Heat shocked the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night with a massively important 111-101 win over the best team in the NBA.
That victory evened the series and warned the Celtics that, as good as they are, they can be taken down.
Following the game, Heat big man Bam Adebayo spoke about his team’s mentality and how the doubt that people have about them doesn’t make an impact.
“Why lose belief now? Backs against the wall. Everybody always against us. Use it as fuel,” Adebayo said, via the NBA on Twitter.
“We’ve been doubted a lot throughout playoff runs… why lose belief now? Backs against the wall… our guys believe that we can win…”
Bam on the Heat’s mentality 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4yaFy6sDY1
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
Just like last year, many people thought the Heat didn’t have a chance in the playoffs.
And, just like last year, they might be proving those people wrong.
The Heat fought through the Play-In Tournament to nab the eighth seed last week.
But when they secured that spot, numerous analysts and fans said their season was just about over.
They were matched with the best team in the league, the Celtics, and they were without their lead star, as Jimmy Butler injured himself during the Play-In Tournament and is still out.
After their first game against Boston, it looked like perhaps the conventional wisdom was right and the Heat were on their way to an early exit in the postseason.
But Wednesday’s game changes a lot.
Adebayo scored 21 points and 10 rebounds during the game.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the way with 24 points and 14 assists, Caleb Martin lit up with 21 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. earned 14 points, and Nikola Jovic scored 11.
It was a full team effort from the Heat and it helped them get back in contention to win this series.
According to Adebayo, every member of the team believes in what they are doing and what they can achieve.
After Wednesday’s game, other people are starting to believe too.
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