The lesson Monday night for rookie Bam Adebayo was about preparedness, and coach Erik Spoelstra tested the Heat’s first round pick by throwing him a curveball.
With 7:28 left in the first half, Spoelstra did something he hadn’t done in Miami’s first three preseason games. He threw Adebayo, 20, into the fire with the Heat’s regular rotation, subbing him in for backup center Kelly Olynyk and pitting the rookie opposite Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA first team selection.
The results didn’t go well. Adebayo, admittedly surprised to find himself in the game, picked up three fouls in three minutes and eight seconds.