The Miami Heat are starting to find their rhythm, and their 106-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets is the latest sign that this team is quietly building momentum. Now sitting at 15-12, the Heat are showing flashes of the cohesion and grit that have defined their best seasons - and with a healthy core, they’re looking to keep that energy rolling into a high-stakes matchup against the Boston Celtics.
Let’s start with the performance that got them here. Against Brooklyn, Miami got a balanced scoring effort from a few unexpected sources.
Kel’el Ware stepped up with 22 points, showing off his versatility and confidence in the midrange. Norman Powell led the way with 24, finding his spots and capitalizing on defensive lapses.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19, continuing to prove he belongs in the rotation with his poise and two-way play. Andrew Wiggins chipped in 10, rounding out a team effort that didn’t rely on any one star to carry the load.
But if there’s one name that looms large for Miami - especially heading into a clash with a powerhouse like Boston - it’s Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo wasn’t at his best against Brooklyn, finishing with just eight points and looking a bit out of sync offensively. That said, anyone who’s watched Bam over the years knows he’s more than capable of bouncing back quickly.
His impact goes far beyond the box score. Whether he’s switching onto guards, anchoring the paint, or facilitating from the elbow, Adebayo is the heartbeat of this team - and his presence will be critical against a Celtics squad that thrives on physicality and tempo.
The good news for Miami fans: Adebayo isn’t listed as out for tonight’s game against Boston. That’s a big deal, especially considering the Heat will be without a few key rotation pieces.
Tyler Herro, who had just worked his way back from an extended injury absence, is back on the shelf with a toe issue. Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic are also sidelined - Jovic following a scary fall against Toronto.
So with the roster a bit thinned out, the Heat will once again turn to their leader.
And make no mistake - that’s who Bam Adebayo is now. With Jimmy Butler no longer in the picture, Adebayo has stepped into the leadership role with conviction.
He’s not just embracing the responsibility; he’s redefining it. In a recent interview, Adebayo spoke candidly about what it means to be the guy at the center of it all.
“I’m the one in the driver’s seat,” he said. “That’s a big responsibility. It’s a big ask, but if they didn’t believe in me, they wouldn’t put me in this seat.”
That belief is showing up on the court. Adebayo leads with emotion, with effort, and with a clear sense of purpose.
He’s not about going through the motions - he wants the game to mean something. “We don’t work a 9-to-5,” he added.
“That’s one thing for me as a leader, I don’t want it to feel like. We play basketball.”
That mindset is contagious. And it’s exactly what the Heat need right now.
After a rocky start to the 2025 season, Miami is beginning to stabilize. The rotation is still evolving, and the roster has its share of question marks, but Adebayo’s leadership is giving the team a foundation to build on. He’s not just holding things together - he’s pushing them forward.
If the Heat are going to make a serious run in the Eastern Conference, it’s going to come down to unity, resilience, and Adebayo’s ability to elevate those around him. He’s got the tools.
He’s got the trust. And now, with another big test on the horizon against Boston, he’s got the stage.
The season is long, but moments like these - when a team starts to find its identity - can shape everything that comes next. And with Bam Adebayo at the wheel, Miami just might be headed in the right direction.