The Miami Heat’s injury woes continue to grow.
All-Star guard Tyler Herro remains out with a right toe injury, and now the Heat’s injury report from December 25 has center Bam Adebayo as day-to-day with lower back soreness.
He is listed as questionable to play on December 26 against the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams are 2-8 over their last 10 games.
Adebayo has played in 24 of the Heat’s 30 games this season, missing six games in November with a sprained big toe.
The Heat are 4-2 in games this season when Adebayo doesn’t play, but the Heat allow an average of 126.6 points per game in those games.
Adebayo has been struggling recently, amidst a cold streak for the Heat. He has scored under 10 points in two of the last four games.
In those four games, he is shooting 37.5% from the field and is 0-7 from three. He is 1-16 from three over the Heat’s last seven games.
Despite his recent offensive struggles, the Heat are undoubtedly a worse defensive team when Adebayo doesn’t play.
The Heat’s defensive rating when Adebayo plays this season is 111.9. When he doesn’t suit up, the Heat’s defensive rating is 117.8.
If Adebayo doesn’t play against the Hawks, he is likely to be back following the game.
The Miami Heat Have Help Returning
GettyPelle Larsson returns after missing multiple games with an ankle injury.
The Miami Heat might not have Bam Adebayo against the Atlanta Hawks, but two key players are likely to return from the injury report.
Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic have been upgraded to probable and, in all likelihood, will return against the Hawks.
Larsson has missed the last five games with an ankle injury, while Jovic has missed the last four games with an elbow injury he sustained during a scary fall on December 15 against the Toronto Raptors.
Larrson’s return in particular is massive for the Heat’s production. He started in all six games Adebayo missed with injury.
10 of the Heat’s 15 games this season have come with Larsson in the starting lineup. Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra previously lauded Larsson’s effort during games.
“He puts himself out there,” Spoelstra said. “He just does so many winning things; he’s a tough player. We love what he’s doing.”
Jovic has had a more up-and-down season. After receiving a four-year, $62.4M extension in the offseason, his production has taken a step back.
He’s also shooting career-low percentages from the field and from three.
His return from injury could be his chance to get back in rhythm and produce strong numbers for the rest of the season.
The Miami Heat Need a Win Badly
GettyThe Miami Heat need a win against the Atlanta Hawks to get their season on track.
If Bam Adebayo is unable to suit up, that would be a massive hit to the Miami Heat’s chances to win on December 26.
The Heat, who have won just two games in December, are in danger of their season completely falling off the rails.
If there’s a positive for the Heat, it’s that the Atlanta Hawks are in the same boat. The Hawks have also only won two games in December.
They have also allowed 134.3 points per game in their last four games.
In a battle of division rivals, the winner will pass the loser in both divisional standings and will be the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
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