BBNBA: Bam Adebayo drills game-winning 3

AdamStrattonKSR

Bam Adebayo has only made 12 3-pointers in his entire career, yet he has made three of them in the Miami Heat’s last three games. However, none of his newfound long-range daggers were as clutch as the one he drilled on Sunday afternoon.

Playing against the lowly Detroit Pistons, their star player, Cade Cunningham, hit a jumper to tie the game with less than 10 seconds to go. Channeling his inner Calipari, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra chose not to call a timeout as former Louisville Cardinal, Terry Rozier, dribbled up the court. Rozier tossed it back to Adebayo who was trailing the play at the top of the key, and Bam did not hesitate. He drained the 30-footer as time expired, giving the Heat the 104-101 win. His teammates subsequently mobbed him and wrestled him to the ground.

Bam called game. 💥 pic.twitter.com/m7FMXOngwI
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 17, 2024

After the game, Bam waxed poetic about his game-winner. “Terry threw me the ball. That’s been my spot lately. I shot it and made it.” Well said, king.

On top of his late-game heroics, Bam also grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, which is good for his third-most in a game this season.

Jamal Murray can’t quite make the same game-winning shot

Jamal Murray nearly joined Bam Adebayo for BBNBA game-winning shots on Selection Sunday, but instead, saw former Dukie, Kyrie Irving, garner all the prestige. After Murray hit a 3-pointer to send the Nuggets up three over the Mavericks with 30 seconds left in the game, Luka Doncic immediately drained a deep 3 of his own on the other side of the court.

Murray would get another chance, though. With the game tied, he got away a good luck from the elbow, but his shot rimmed out and fell into the hands of Dallas. A timeout advanced the ball to the half-court and with three seconds left, Kyrie Irving got the ball and made one of the more ridiculous buzzer-beaters you’ll see. He dribbled left, shot a left-handed sky hook from 20 feet, and drilled it.

Evidently, it is March in the NBA too.

Murray finished with 23 points and seven assists.

JAMAL MURRAY 3 TO TAKE THE LEAD ‼️

NUGGETS LEAD 105-102 WITH 26.8 REMAINING ON ABC. pic.twitter.com/ITo5iEvdzJ
— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2024

Other BBNBA Notes:

Keldon Johnson led all former Kentucky players in scoring on Sunday, finishing with 24 points on an efficient 8-12 from the field to help the San Antonio Spurs get a rare win, as they topped the Brooklyn Nets.
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo out, the Phoenix Suns could not get by the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Devin Booker had 23 points but has been in a funk from behind the arc as of late, shooting just 3-26 from long range after coming back from a twisted ankle.
Similar to Booker, both Immanuel Quickley and PJ Washington have struggled with their shooting touch in recent games. Quickley missed all six of his 3-point attempts in the Raptors’ loss. Meanwhile, Washington missed all four of his in the aforementioned Dallas win. No doubt they’ll get back on track soon.

BBNBA Statistics for 3/17/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	122-115 W vs. BRK	24	8-12 (5-8)	5	0	0	0	1	+14	34
Devin Booker (PHX)	129-140 L vs. MIL	23	11-22 (0-5)	9	6	1	1	2	-9	40
Jamal Murray (DEN)	105-107 L vs. DAL	23	7-20 (2-5)	4	7	1	1	1	0	36
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	104-101 W vs. DET	20	9-13 (1-1)	17	3	1	0	3	+5	38
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	96-111 L vs. ORL	12	4-15 (0-6)	7	5	0	0	4	-26	31
PJ Washington (DAL)	107-105 W vs. DEN	4	2-10 (0-4)	11	3	0	1	0	+7	31
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	93-110 L vs. ATL	0	0-1 (0-0)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
TyTy Washington (MIL)	140-129 W vs. PHX	DNP-G League
Chris Livingston (MIL)	140-129 W vs. PHX	DNP-G League
Tyler Herro (MIA)	104-101 W vs. DET	DNP-Foot