Inside The Heat

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo Helps Team USA Get Off To Strong Start

Bam Adebayo saw substantial minutes in the USA's win over Serbia Sunday morning. Nikola Jovic came in off the bench for Serbia.
Scott Salomon|
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Bam Adebayo (13) dunks on Canada in the first quarter of the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Bam Adebayo (13) dunks on Canada in the first quarter of the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports | Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo played a significant role in the USA's 110-84 victory over Serbia in the preliminary round of the Olympic games.

Adebayo scored four points off the bench, with two rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. His main contribution came on defense after replacing an ineffective Joel Embiid in the first half.

Once in the game, Adebayo defender Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. It was a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals when the Heat faced the Nuggets.

Adebayo played tough defense but Jokic still managed 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds.

The Heat's big man scored one of his two baskets on a jumper over Heat teammate Nikola Jovic.

There were times when Adebayo played the power forward position alongside Anthony Davis, who also rotated between forward and center. This could help should he move to the four this season after the Heat drafted center Kel'el Ware in June.

Adebayo is looking to win his second gold medal. He also played on the USA team that won in Tokyo in 2021.

Jovic was inconsistent with the basketball. He is returning from an ankle injury which clearly set him back. Jovic was not moving around as he did at the end of last season. He suffered the injury while working out in June at the Kaseya Center.

As one of the Serbian reserves, he scored five points. Jovic also hit a three-point field goal in the first half.

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at sas@southfloridamedianetwork.com.

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Scott Salomon
SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined On SI in April 2024, covering breaking news and analysis for various On SI channels. Scott covers the NFL, College Football, MLB, and the WNBA. Scott has been covering local and national sports for over 35 years. Scott graduated from the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott is also a member of the PFWA and the FWAA. Follow Scott Salomon on X @ScottSalomonNFL.