Bam Adebayo answered early-season criticism with a season-high 24 points and a franchise-record 5,794 career rebounds, leading Miami to a 129-117 win over Atlanta. The victory snapped the Heat’s four-game losing streak and gave the team its first win after an 0-4 start.

By the Numbers
  • Adebayo: 24 points, 9 rebounds; 8-of-16 shooting.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 24 points, 18 rebounds.
  • Miami shot 53% from the field.
  • Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kingston Flemings each scored 23 points.
Yes, But

One win doesn’t erase Miami’s shaky opening stretch or settle questions about a team reshaped by the offseason addition of Antetokounmpo. Adebayo’s strong performance, however, offered an immediate response after he said he felt cast as the team’s “scapegoat.”

State of Play
  • Miami is 1-4 after ending its four-game skid.
  • Atlanta has lost three straight and is 2-3.
Bottom Line

Adebayo’s bounce-back delivered more than Miami’s first win: It showed the Heat can still rely on their star center while they work through a difficult start.