Bam Adebayo Leads Miami Heat to Big Win Over Grizzlies

Bam Adebayo scored 24 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This marked Miami’s first win since guard Terry Rozier was placed on leave following gambling-related charges. Adebayo’s dominant performance helped Miami build an early lead and control the game from start to finish.

Nikola Jovic contributed 20 points, Kel’el Ware added 19, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Their strong showing reinforced Miami’s depth and ability to maintain a high tempo on both ends of the court. The team’s cohesion was evident in fast breaks, perimeter shooting, and defensive pressure that kept Memphis at bay.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 19 points, while rookie Cedric Coward scored 16, and Santi Aldama added 13. Ja Morant, who scored 35 points in Memphis’ opening win over New Orleans, struggled significantly, finishing with only 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Memphis was unable to keep up with Miami’s scoring pace and defensive pressure.

The game was largely decided in the first quarter. Miami went on a 17-0 run, with Adebayo scoring 18 points during the period. The Heat built a double-digit lead early, forcing Memphis to play catch-up for the remainder of the game. Miami’s fast start set the tone for a dominant performance throughout.

By the middle of the second quarter, Miami’s lead had swelled to 56-30, fueled by 65% shooting, including 8 of 11 from three-point range. The team’s efficiency and sharp shooting allowed them to extend their lead to 86-47 at halftime, making a Memphis comeback highly unlikely.

The Heat’s victory was a strong response following the turmoil surrounding Terry Rozier’s arrest and his leave from the team. Miami displayed strong offensive chemistry, defensive intensity, and effective rotation management. Bam Adebayo’s leadership on the floor highlighted his ability to guide the team through challenging circumstances, setting a confident tone for the upcoming games.

Miami will aim to build on this commanding win and maintain momentum, while Memphis needs to regroup and find consistency from their star players, particularly Ja Morant, to remain competitive in upcoming matchups.